About seven people gathered in a confused cluster around a notice on the windows of the Heritage Theatre in Campbell to learn their path to citizenship was no longer available there. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) canceled its longstanding contract with the theater March 12 due to a “termination for convenience of the government”...
West Valley may build new homes in risky fire zones
California is requiring two West Valley communities to build thousands of homes, while the state is ringing alarm bells over increasing fire risk where some of these homes might be constructed. Cal Fire released updated fire hazard severity maps for the first time since 2011 last month — and Los Gatos and Cupertino are in...
Los Gatos services could be hit by federal funding cuts
The shifting political tides in Washington, D.C. have Los Gatos officials strategizing ways to protect vital services. The Los Gatos Town Council voted 4-1 March 18 to review federal funding changes every two months to determine the effect on town services, with Councilmember Mary Badame voting no. The small West Valley town has yet to receive...
Campbell hits the brakes on new tobacco shops
One small West Valley city has some of the most smoke shops per person in Santa Clara County. Officials are taking steps to change that statistic. The Campbell City Council unanimously approved a temporary ban Tuesday preventing new tobacco retailers from opening in the city for at least 45 days. Officials want to curb tobacco sales...
Los Gatos orchard could become townhomes
Wild mustard is in full bloom at one of Los Gatos’ last orchards, where hundreds of bare, brown walnut trees stand as remaining vestiges of the town’s agricultural past. That may soon change. San Jose-based Urban Catalyst recently submitted revised plans for a 138-townhome development to replace the orchard at 14789 Oka Road. Plans for the...
Cupertino to install license plate reader cameras
Criminals driving through Cupertino could be caught by just their license plate as the tech hub becomes one of the last in Santa Clara County to install detection technology. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 Tuesday to allow the County Sheriff’s Office to implement 15 cameras that automatically read license plates throughout...
Cupertino gets budget surplus surprise after fiscal uncertainty
After more than a year of unprecedented fiscal uncertainty, Cupertino’s future could be flush with cash. The unexpected turnaround in the city’s mid-year financial report projects a $4.5 million budget surplus in 2026. This comes on the heels of a $30 million loss, largely due to a depletion of sales tax revenue from tech giant...
Cupertino officials vote to let mayors serve longer
Cupertino has amended several of its governing rules — leaving some constituents happy and others concerned about what it could mean for the city. The Cupertino City Council voted 3-2 to adjust and add some council procedures March 4, with Councilmembers Sheila Mohan and J.R. Fruen voting no. One change includes removing language restricting the...
Los Gatos projects multimillion-dollar deficits
One West Valley town may have to brace for some rocky years as it faces multimillion-dollar shortfalls. Los Gatos could be looking at an estimated $5.6 million deficit for fiscal year 2025-26, a significant number for a town with a roughly $60 million budget for the current fiscal year. The shortfall is largely due to...
Cupertino to protect cyclists on Stevens Creek Boulevard
One of Cupertino’s most dangerous roads will soon become safer for cyclists. The Cupertino City Council approved the extension of a protected bike lane project down Stevens Creek Boulevard in a 3-2 vote last month. Mayor Liang Chao and Councilmember R “Ray” Wang support protective bike lanes but voted no, citing concerns about the project’s design. Golden...