A Silicon Valley legislator wants big changes for the region’s major transit agency, and not everyone is on board. Assemblymember Marc Berman held a panel this week to explore ideas for reforming VTA’s governance structure. Under the current system, elected officials from Santa Clara County and all its cities are appointed members of the 18-person...
Santa Clara County cuts ties with Russia over Ukraine invasion
Santa Clara County has severed its ties with the Russian government in Moscow. In a largely symbolic act, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to terminate its sister county/city relationship between Santa Clara County and Moscow. The vote comes nearly a month after Russia initiated an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine that has killed hundreds...
Santa Clara County water district sets scope of harassment investigation
Valley Water officials have defined the scope of their investigation of board member Gary Kremen, but are leaving out the main issue that sparked the request. The Valley Water board voted 6-0 Tuesday to approve an investigation into whether Kremen violated any district policies in his interactions with workers or members of the public. Kremen...
Santa Clara woman aids Ukrainian refugees at border
While Silicon Valley watches the war in Ukraine unfold, one woman has traveled to the country’s border to help refugees. Santa Clara resident Harbir Kaur Bhatia and her mom Gunwant, a Florida resident, recently made their way to a base camp in the Polish town of Medyka, near the Ukraine border, to help those fleeing the Russian...
UPDATE: Santa Clara County buys land for more affordable housing
Santa Clara County is acquiring more land to build hundreds of affordable homes for disadvantaged residents. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to purchase four properties in San Jose, Santa Clara and Morgan Hill, which will cost the county more than $17 million and provide 324 apartments. “I really want to just acknowledge...
Former San Jose sports reporter gets two-year restraining order
A San Jose court has issued a restraining order against former Mercury News reporter Paul Gackle, ending a long legal battle with the paper. In an order issued Monday, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Carol Overton ruled Gackle must stay at least 100 yards away from all Mercury News employees. The order expires Sept. 20,...
The Biz Beat: Satori Cellars in Gilroy serves award-winning wines
Visiting Satori Cellars’ tasting room in Gilroy is as much about entering an enchanted realm as it is about tasting its award-winning wines. Coming through the round door of the entrance portal next to the vineyard, music, laughter, gentle dogs and the brightest colors in the rainbow are waiting for you there. The atmosphere is...
Santa Clara County COVID levels low, but virus sticks around
Two years after Santa Clara County announced its first shelter order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the region is stable—but the foreseeable future remains uncertain, county officials said. “Our levels are relatively low,” said Dr. Sara Cody, county public health officer. “But we still are in the middle of the worldwide pandemic. Even though...
Silicon Valley water board initiates internal investigation
The Valley Water board is laying the groundwork for an investigation of Director Gary Kremen. On Wednesday, the board voted unanimously to have its ethics and conduct committee come up with the appropriate scope and timeline for an investigation into Kremen’s conduct with workers. The board also agreed to temporarily replace Kremen as chair with Director John...
Santa Clara County sees demand for mental health treatment
After years of debating and evaluating a controversial state mental health treatment law, the program is in effect in Santa Clara County—and officials see early progress. The Board of Supervisors approved an assisted outpatient treatment program last May, known as Laura’s Law. The county Behavioral Health Services Department manages the program. The law is named after Laura...