San Jose and Santa Clara County have spent decades and millions of dollars trying to end homelessness, and while some progress has been made, thousands remain on the street each night—and hundreds die each year. In 2023, 201 unhoused people died on county streets, a number officials say is a grim reminder of a failure...
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County
Silicon Valley office vacancies stuck in double digits
Silicon Valley’s offices are rapidly emptying out, as the paradigm-shifting remote work culture brought on by the pandemic continues to affect the commercial real estate market. A December report from the research arms of Joint Venture Silicon Valley and commercial real estate firm JLL Silicon Valley shows demand for office space in the third quarter of...
‘Dying to stay here’: The plight of Black people in Silicon Valley
A local economist startled by the staggering disparities pushing African Americans to the margins in Santa Clara County is launching a video and podcast project hoping to bring more attention to the issue. Chuck Cantrell’s “Dying to Stay Here” video was formally released at CreaTV studios in San Jose earlier this month. The roughly nine-minute...
Santa Clara County supervisor runs for congressional seat
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...
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...
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...
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...