Many residents around San Jose may know the sounds of illegal street racing all too well: cars revving, tires screeching and even worse, guns firing. On Tuesday, the San Jose City Council unanimously approved drafting a new law that seeks to put an end to the chaos before it even starts. Police data shows people...
Behind closed doors: These are San Jose’s top 10 lobbyists
In the heart of Silicon Valley, local policies and laws, especially on land use and the economy, shape our way of life. But key policy discussions don’t always happen in public. Despite a global pandemic shuttering in-person meetings for more than a year, a data analysis by San José Spotlight found lobbying remains to be...
San Jose police expect rise in sexual assault reports as shelter in place lifts
As Santa Clara County moves into the less restrictive orange tier, San Jose police are bracing for an alarming uptick in reports of sexual violence. Police suspect many cases of sexual violence that took place in 2020 behind closed doors have gone unreported due to shelter in place orders. “When the COVID-19 pandemic began, there was...
San Jose mayor targets business, blight, jobs and housing in budget plan
The San Jose City Council unanimously supported Mayor Liccardo’s new spending plan which aims to rebuild the economy and help San Jose recover from COVID. On March 9, the mayor released his annual March Budget Message with recommendations for the city’s 2021-2022 budget. Liccardo’s main focus is on creating jobs, helping local businesses get back...
Street races: San Jose could target sideshow promoters
As illegal street racers continue to terrorize San Jose neighborhoods, city leaders are pushing forward a new law to target sideshow promoters and supporters. The committee that sets agendas for the San Jose City Council has unanimously approved a plan to make it illegal to promote racing on social media or elsewhere. Councilmember Dev Davis said SJPD’s...
New hate task force in Santa Clara County launches as incidents rise across country
San Jose Councilmember Maya Esparza knows first hand the pain of losing a loved one to hate violence. Her 6-year-old nephew, Stephen Romero, was killed at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in 2019. The gunman appeared to have ties to white supremacist ideology. Now, Esparza is leading Santa Clara County’s first ever hate crime task force...
San Jose Legends: East Side matriarch Blanca Alvarado fights on for justice
Editor’s Note: San Jose Legends is a new monthly series that tells the remarkable stories of the historic and legendary people who have helped shape and transform our city. When life gives Blanca Alvarado lemons, La Madrina — the godmother — of East San Jose, zests them for cake. While harvesting lemons from her backyard...
Hazard pay is coming to San Jose for grocery workers
Hazard pay is finally on its way for San Jose grocery workers. After hours of debate, the San Jose City Council voted 7-3 on Tuesday to give retail food workers an extra $3 per hour for putting their health at risk during the pandemic. Hazard pay would apply only to stores that have over 300...
‘People are hurting’: San Jose’s largest Vietnamese mall hanging by a thread
Every day at 10 a.m., Nancy steps under the white arches of Grand Century Mall and pushes open the glass doors of her store, Lac’s Skincare & Cosmetics. Sometimes she’ll watch an Asian drama on her laptop. Other times, she’ll sit and people watch behind a countertop brimming with unopened skin care products. There’s the rare...
Silicon Valley lawmakers approve plans for distributing rent relief funds
Renters make up nearly half of the Bay Area’s largest city, and many face an eviction time bomb after eviction bans end and back rent is due, prompting Silicon Valley lawmakers Tuesday to take steps to protect the most vulnerable tenants. Lawmakers at the city and county level approved a “hybrid” plan to distribute millions...