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Achieving racial equity in Silicon Valley and the nation will take more than protests and some changes in legislative bodies. It’s going to take deep, systemic and hard-fought change. That’s according to a diverse panel of five experts who discussed race and equity in a virtual forum hosted by San José Spotlight and moderated by...
Probation union rallies in San Jose to end systematic racism
Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez walked on stage but before she could speak, a group of young children shouted from a distance, “Black Lives Matter!” While cheers erupted from the crowd, she smiled from ear to ear and responded, “That is the future that is here right now. That is awesome.” About 80 people...
Santa Clara County fire district mergers recommended after audits suggest mismanagement
Citing alleged mismanagement that potentially put thousands of residents at risk, auditors are recommending the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors consider merging the Los Altos Hills and South Santa Clara County fire districts, along with the Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District. A May 22 audit found the Los Altos Hills district spent funds...
Industrial hemp farms get approval in Santa Clara County
Although the cultivation of industrial hemp in California does not yet have federal approval, Santa Clara County has approved guidelines to get farmers rolling as soon they get the green light. Supervisors added industrial hemp regulations to the county’s zoning ordinance Aug. 25, making regulation of the crop a part of county code. Supervisors unanimously...
UPDATE: Santa Clara County supervisors run into hurdle over reforms at Sheriff’s Office
After months of review of potential law enforcement reforms at the Sheriff’s Office, Santa Clara County Supervisors faced the reality that their hands are somewhat tied. The sheriff is an independently elected official and supervisors have limited authority over that office, said Michael Genacco, a law enforcement expert and project manager for the Office of...
Santa Clara County employees on verge of getting Juneteenth holiday
Juneteenth is one step closer to becoming a holiday for Santa Clara County workers but not before the Board of Supervisors got an earful. During the course of budget talks addressing a multi-million dollar shortfall Aug. 21, supervisors entertained the idea of making Juneteenth a paid holiday. The sticking point, however, was that it would...
Jobs, social services take hit in Santa Clara County budget
The ax is falling on jobs and social services in Santa Clara County’s next fiscal budget. Struggling to manage a massive deficit, supervisors debated for nearly six hours Aug. 21 before approving the budget 4-1, with Board President Cindy Chavez casting the sole dissenting vote. The budget gap largely stems from decreased revenues from both...
Silicon Valley unemployment sees slight decline in July
People are starting to go back to work in Santa Clara County but unemployment is still alarmingly high. After unemployment reached a historic peak of 11.6% in April, it declined to 9.3% in July, according to a study released Aug. 21 by Joint Venture Silicon Valley, a group that provides analysis on the Silicon Valley...
South Bay families cling to hope of more aid as demand doubles at food banks
Tracy Tran and her husband fear they may soon have to file for bankruptcy. Tran works as a manicurist at La Orquidea Nail Salon and Spa in Los Gatos. Her husband runs the business, and Tran is one of 23 employees. The couple filed for unemployment benefits shortly after the salon shut down in March....
Santa Clara County looking at eliminating medical marijuana ID fee
Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese wants to make obtaining medical marijuana products more accessible by waiving the $100 renewal fee on ID cards. Cortese said the fee is “pretty arbitrary” and was set by the Board of Supervisors based on a recommendation from the administration when the State Senate bill that established the card...