Lawyers representing former Santa Clara Councilmember Anthony Becker filed an appeal Wednesday in his felony perjury case. According to the appeal, Becker’s lawyers are looking for a certificate of probable cause, challenging the guilty verdict jurors issued in December 2024. Jurors found Becker guilty of leaking a 2022 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury report...
‘A true icon’: San Jose developer, philanthropist dies at 85
Barry Swenson, the groundbreaking developer who reshaped the city’s skyline and became a household name, has died at age 85. Swenson was the third generation leader of Swenson Builders, one of Silicon Valley’s most prominent construction and development firms, known for developing iconic buildings throughout San Jose. Those who knew him remember him for his...
Long-planned Santa Clara development still in limbo
Developer Related Companies recently finished two apartment buildings in Santa Clara totaling about 5.5 acres, but its 240-acre mixed-use project designed to change the city’s landscape has been stalled for years. Officials from Related Companies and Santa Clara celebrated the opening of The Clara and Ellore last week — two high-rises that will bring 508...
Santa Clara politicians turn to ChatGPT for advice
Santa Clara officials said they’ve used ChatGPT at two public meetings, sparking concerns about the use of artificial intelligence to inform decision makers. Artificial intelligence tools have been growing in popularity as cities like San Jose use it to improve road safety or translate public meetings. But the technology is still plagued with misinformation problems,...
Santa Clara approves another 1,000+ housing project
North Santa Clara is slated for more than a thousand new homes over the next few years, with whole neighborhoods under construction. The Santa Clara City Council gave its final approval March 25 on a 25.7-acre development at 2518 Mission College Blvd. The project will bring in 1,792 apartments, 268 of which will be affordable...
Santa Clara to spend millions fixing community swim center
Santa Clara is scrapping plans to temporarily reopen its swim center this spring, and instead is pushing forward with a broader renovation. The Santa Clara City Council has unanimously approved an additional $8.1 million to repair all three pools at the George F. Haines International Swim Center, along with the dive tower, boiler and other...
UPDATE: Ex-Santa Clara official sentenced to 40 days community service
Former Santa Clara Councilmember Anthony Becker has been sentenced to 40 days in a county work program run through the jail on specific days of the week. Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Javier Alcala levied the sentence, four months after a jury found Becker guilty of perjury and failing to uphold his duties as...
Santa Clara makes it easier for youths to play sports
Santa Clara wants to make it easier for low-income youths to play sports by paying their fees. The Santa Clara City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, with Councilmember Raj Chahal absent, to make the Wade Brummal Scholarship program easier to access and more streamlined. The program helps low-income families pay sports-related fees. Changes include a streamlined...
Santa Clara finalizes World Cup contracts
Santa Clara officials are paving the way for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by finalizing responsibilities. The City Council approved various agreements with the Bay Area Host Committee and the 49ers’ stadium management branch, ManCo, Tuesday in a 5-2 vote, with Mayor Lisa Gillmor and Councilmember Kelly Cox voting no. The agreement details operational and...
Santa Clara swim center closure ripples through community
Santa Clara’s George F. Haines International Swim Center has been closed for more than a year, leaving the city’s aquatics community and legacy foundering. The city closed the swim center in January 2024, citing structural safety issues after years of neglect. The renovations are so extensive that the complex needs to be completely overhauled, city...