Homeless residents at the North County Shelter in Sunnyvale say a shift in management has heightened sanitation problems and workers are unequipped to handle older adults living there. Two residents of the Santa Clara County-owned shelter told San José Spotlight there are numerous unhygienic issues, including pests such as rats and scabies — in addition...
Sunnyvale wants feedback for homeless safe parking sites
Sunnyvale is looking to offer safe parking for homeless residents living in their vehicles, and city officials are working on what that entails. Sunnyvale wants feedback on a policy that would set parameters for potential safe parking programs, which the city has had on its docket since 2020. City employees want to discuss the possibility...
Sunnyvale drone show replaces fireworks on Fourth of July
In the heart of Silicon Valley and the middle of a heat wave, one city hopes to use new technologies to emulate a classic Fourth of July tradition. Instead of fireworks, Sunnyvale is hosting a drone light show at Baylands Park at 6:30 p.m. City officials said the drone show will be safer and more...
Silicon Valley officials worry about homeless shelter transition
Homeless residents, advocates and local officials have questions about the Sunnyvale Shelter as the facility changes nonprofit operators. The Santa Clara County-owned, 145-bed homeless shelter will change operators on July 1 from HomeFirst to the Bill Wilson Center. Residents are fearful they will be kicked out as the shelter switches from serving unhoused individuals to...
Sunnyvale’s budget is flush with money
While most of Santa Clara County grapples with balancing budget shortfalls, one city has enough money to set aside for future resident services. Now, city officials have to decide where that money should go. Sunnyvale is putting money into a “set aside” fund, beginning with $3.5 million this fiscal year. The Sunnyvale City Council approved...
Sunnyvale considers major changes to its city charter
Sunnyvale voters will have multiple opportunities to change the city charter in the coming years. The Sunnyvale City Council voted unanimously earlier this month to create a committee to review the city’s charter and propose potential amendments by November 2026. Councilmembers approved six topics for the committee to review, including councilmember and mayoral compensation, alternative...
Sunnyvale official’s social media campaigning draws questions
Elections watchdogs and Santa Clara County residents are keeping a keen eye out for ethics issues as campaign season ramps up, with one member of the Sunnyvale City Council already drawing their attention to his Facebook page. Councilmember Russ Melton has made multiple posts about his mayoral candidacy on his government-affiliated Facebook page, which identifies...
Sunnyvale shelter gets new management, service model
A county-owned, 145-bed homeless shelter in Sunnyvale is changing operators and the community it serves. The Bill Wilson Center will become the new homeless service provider for the Sunnyvale Shelter starting in July, after receiving unanimous approval on May 21 on a potential $5 million contract from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. County...
North Sunnyvale to get a long-awaited library
North Sunnyvale residents will be able to access the city’s library resources closer to home by next year. The Sunnyvale City Council on May 21 unanimously awarded Bobo Constructions a $23 million contract to build the Lakewood Branch Library and Learning Center, the city’s first expansion of its main library services. While it will have...
NBC Bay Area: School crossing guards dodging driverless cars
As state leaders approve expanding the testing of driverless cars into San Mateo County and Sunnyvale, school crossing guards in San Francisco say they’ve had some close calls with autonomous vehicles during the past year.