Ten days into fighting the SCU Lightning Complex fires east of San Jose, the “arrows are going in the right direction,” but there’s still months left to go before the fires are fully quelled. The most recent public safety Q&A with San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, Fire Department Chief Robert Sapien and Deputy City Manager...
New report outlines steps to economic recovery in South Bay
The South Bay won’t see significant economic recovery unless small business owners and residents hardest hit by the coronavirus shutdown receive more emergency aid and large employers increase wages, according to a new report. The report, by Silicon Valley Recovery Roundtable — a consortium of leaders from tech, labor, education, government and small businesses —...
San Jose rubber bullet ban heading back to council
At the height of Black Lives Matter protests this spring, Breanna Contreras was marching among the crowds in downtown San Jose when chaos suddenly broke out. People scattered and started running past her in the opposite direction, many with eyes streaming from tear gas. A moment later, Contreras heard “Pop! Pop! Pop!” and felt something...
UPDATE: San Jose extends ban on evictions during COVID-19
As the county’s shelter-in-place order shuttering the local economy puts more residents at risk of losing their homes, San Jose leaders voted unanimously to extend the city’s eviction to Oct. 17. The moratorium now coincides with the local emergency declaration, also set to end Oct. 17. Still, the debate about how to balance challenges faced...
UPDATE: San Jose advances high-tech ideas to connect transportation hubs
Driverless vehicles zooming through underground tunnels and electric mini trains could be in San Jose’s future. City leaders voted unanimously on Aug. 25 to advance projects connecting Diridon Station, Stevens Creek Corridor and the Mineta San Jose International Airport. Councilmember Maya Esparza was absent. Many of the proposals — including one from Elon Musk’s The...
San Jose hotels lower rates for fire evacuees
Residents near the outskirts of San Jose are advised to pack their bags as wildfires sparked by last weekend’s lightning storm continue to surround the valley. But while evacuation orders are still east of city limits, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo announced Aug. 23 more than a dozen local hotels are offering discounted “San Jose...
Former San Jose city attorney Rick Doyle dies at 65
After celebrating a recent retirement and two decades of service to San Jose, former City Attorney Rick Doyle died Aug. 23 at age 65 from cancer. “San Jose has lost one of its greatest champions in Rick Doyle,” Mayor Sam Liccardo said. “Rick made a career out of fighting for our city, but through the...
San Jose mayor leaps into state’s ride-share fight
When Uber and Lyft threatened this week to stop operating in California over a state law to reclassify gig workers, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo joined ranks with a Republican counterpart to take a stand. Liccardo said he entered the debate because departure of the ride-sharing giants in the state would hurt workers even more during the present...
Could this be the site of homeless housing in San Jose?
A new homeless housing community is being planned in San Jose — but it likely won’t be located near you. “We’re looking for a partnership,” said John Davis, retired Air Systems founder and primary funder of the project. “We don’t want to spend four years fighting with whoever is around us.” Davis, along with Barry...
San Jose lawmakers aim to increase financial accountability
San Jose is strapped for money during the local emergency — $72 million to be exact — but a new plan unanimously approved Aug. 19 aims to ensure the City Council tightens its purse strings and uses taxpayer dollars wisely. Despite the growing deficit, the council must continue providing necessary services to the public. Councilmember...