San Jose may be widely known as a tech hub, but it’s also a city defined by its public art. With a city of nearly 1 million people, San Jose is also home to hundreds of murals. In a multi-year effort to revitalize public spaces, beautify the city and make it more pedestrian-friendly, officials have focused arts...
East San Jose hospital loses services while richer areas thrive
A private health company plans to reduce lifesaving care at an East San Jose hospital as it expands another hospital in a wealthier part of the city. HCA Healthcare is increasing the number of acute care beds at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose’s Cambrian neighborhood on the West Side, close to Los Gatos. Company representatives said...
Newsom says San Jose should take urgent action on homeless camps
Gov. Gavin Newsom is calling on local governments such as San Jose to use state funds for urgent action to address “dangerous” homeless encampments. Newsom’s executive order on Thursday suggests notifying homeless residents at least 48 hours before an incoming sweep. Locally, San Jose tends to give more notice, as officials want to enforce a...
Rooftop bar and restaurant envisioned for Willow Glen
Willow Glen residents are one step closer to getting a new two-story restaurant and rooftop bar in their neighborhood. A special use permit for the proposed Luke’s Rooftop Beer Garden and Restaurant was approved at a San Jose Planning Director’s hearing on Wednesday, where project representatives thanked city officials for their efforts helping move the project...
Collins: Real estate purchasing changes coming in August
Some important changes are about to go into effect next month. The most significant change is how buyers can choose to compensate their agent or buyer representative for the work they do on their behalf. Even though compensation has always been negotiable in the past, it was traditionally driven by the listing agent, who would...
Santa Clara County records first Racial Justice Act violation
The Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office has filed more than a dozen motions over the last four years contesting racist criminal charges against people of color. Only one has been sustained in court. The county recorded its first Racial Justice Act violation last month since the landmark California law passed in 2020. The bill,...
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...
Robinson: Joe Biden exits, Kamala Harris ascends
Democratic Party elites successfully executed a bloodless coup in getting President Joe Biden to step down as a candidate in November. We can hope the current euphoria expressed by those anointing Vice President Kamala Harris lasts long enough to get her elected. I am not here to bury our party, but to praise Joe Biden....
Silicon Valley lawmaker running for Congress doesn’t live in his district
Assemblymember Evan Low is living outside his state legislative district in Campbell, raising questions about whether the lawmaker — and now congressional candidate — has turned his back on the people he was elected to serve. Campaign finance and voter registration records reviewed by San José Spotlight link Low to a condo on Campisi Way...
Silicon Valley evictions increase after pandemic protections expire
Santa Clara County evictions have shot up over the past year, prompting local groups and governments to find ways to support renters. The county recorded 3,180 evictions last year, the highest amount since 2014. Compare that to the less than 2,000 evictions between 2020 and 2022 during the pandemic. Key protections tenants won at the...