Struggling to make a living and plagued by abusive relationships, San Jose native Brenda Nichols fell into alcoholism and homelessness where she spent the last 10 years fighting for a way out. In 2019, she finally qualified for housing and was ready to turn her life around. But years of drinking and living on the...
San Jose union objects to VTA work culture consultant
VTA is postponing voting on a contract for a work culture consultant following a furious outburst from the head of the agency’s largest union. The VTA board of directors unanimously agreed Friday to defer approving a $1.9 million two-year contract with Deloitte Consulting to aid with transforming the agency’s work culture. The board made the decision...
Silicon Valley unemployment drops as hospitality sees slow recovery
Unemployment continues to plummet in Silicon Valley, but it’s anyone’s guess when the leisure and hospitality sector will fully recover. The unemployment rate in Silicon Valley dropped to 2.4% in March—less than half the rate recorded the same time last year—according to a recent report from Joint Venture Silicon Valley’s Institute for Regional Studies. Employers...
Election 2022: The race for Santa Clara County district attorney
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen is facing challengers for the first time since he was elected more than a decade ago. The top prosecutor of Santa Clara County oversees a department of 620 employees, 190 of whom are prosecutors. The DA files charges against people for criminal and civil offenses, ranging from homicides...
A vision of seamless Bay Area transit gets another chance
A campaign to unify the Bay Area’s 27 different transit agencies into one seamless system is gaining steam, but the slog toward full integration will be a long and challenging journey. Ian Griffiths, co-founder and director of Seamless Bay Area, said during a Wednesday webinar that recent legislation could pave the way toward integrating the...
Election 2022: The race for Santa Clara County Supervisor District 1
The fight for the Santa Clara County Supervisor District 1 seat is bound to be one of the most competitive races this election season. Supervisor Mike Wasserman, who has held the seat since 2010, terms out at the end of the year—and five candidates are vying to replace him. The newly drawn District 1 boundaries have...
VTA gives benefits to families of workers killed in San Jose shooting
VTA has agreed to pay retirement benefits to the families of workers killed in a mass shooting last May to make sure they’re taken care of for years to come. The VTA board of directors voted unanimously last week to give $4.9 million in retirement benefits to 10 families who lost loved ones in the...
Election 2022: The race for Santa Clara County sheriff
Santa Clara County is getting a new sheriff for the first time in more than two decades, following Laurie Smith’s decision to not run for a seventh term. Five candidates are jockeying for Smith’s seat. Smith’s tenure as sheriff has been marred by scandals and political investigations. Last year, the Board of Supervisors voted no...
Santa Clara County district attorney candidates debate priorities
Two Democrats running for Santa Clara County district attorney are trading barbs as they outline dramatically different visions for Silicon Valley’s top prosecutor. Incumbent District Attorney Jeff Rosen and deputy public defender Sajid Khan shared their priorities for the job during a Friday forum held by the Democratic 21st Century Club in San Jose, the...
Santa Clara County to connect Santa Teresa and Calero parks
In a move that’s beneficial to hikers, cyclists and equestrians, Santa Clara County will connect two beloved parks. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to purchase 47 acres of land between Santa Teresa and Calero county parks for $8.5 million. Conservationists hail this acquisition as another positive step in securing the county green...