The ongoing Iran war is driving gas prices up across the U.S., including East San Jose — where residents and small business owners are carefully weighing where to fill up. Prices observed at local gas stations along Alum Rock Road ranged from as low as $4.09 per gallon up to $5.17 for regular unleaded fuel,...
Higgins: San Jose students deserve evidence-based decisions
San Jose Unified School District’s “Schools of Tomorrow” initiative proposes closing up to nine elementary schools that act as community hubs for generations of San Jose residents. As a district parent, I am following the initiative with concern and frustration. It is framed as a process to create ideal schools to develop “the thinkers, leaders,...
Decision on San Jose school closures delayed
A committee tasked with recommending which campuses in San Jose’s largest school district to close has hit the brakes on making a decision. Poised to close up to nine schools due to declining enrollment, the San Jose Unified School District Schools of Tomorrow Committee on Tuesday postponed making a decision and adjusted criteria for how...
Former Valley Water CEO sexually harassed employees, report says
The head of Santa Clara County’s largest water supplier sexually harassed subordinate employees, according to independent investigators looking into allegations of misconduct. Valley Water has released the report conducted by law firm Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, which was investigating internal claims into CEO Rick Callender and his behavior with employees. The more than year-long...
Palo Alto may end ride-share program amid bleak budget outlook
It’s been a year of change and uncertainly for Palo Alto Link, the ride-share service that the city launched in March 2023 and that continues to fight for its life in the face of an increasingly skeptical City Council. Compared to private services like Uber and Lyft, Palo Alto’s nine-vehicle fleet remains a relative a...
Mallon: Six years later, speeding up San Jose transit is finally paying off
In 2019, I learned about transit signal priority — a technology that gives buses priority at intersections so they don’t sit at red signals unnecessarily. At the time, I was a 22-year-old college student who rode VTA every day and wished the buses would run faster. At the time, there was a lot of discussion...
Larger Whole Foods to open in Los Gatos
A new Whole Foods Market is about to open in Los Gatos, with amenities that include a spacious hot-food bar, indoor seating and a mural of local birds. Construction crews are busy installing interior fixtures at the 40,039-square-foot supermarket on Los Gatos Boulevard at the intersection of Los Gatos Almaden Road. The market is expected...
‘Willow Glen has lost part of its soul’ with deli owner’s death
Chris Bertucelli’s warm welcome and gracious smile made every customer feel like a friend. His sudden death last week at 47 shocked the tight-knit Willow Glen neighborhood. Bertucelli, co-owner of Bertucelli’s La Villa, a gourmet Italian delicatessen famed for its ravioli and lasagna, was known for lending a hand and never saying no. Jill Maggi,...
Mountain View streamlines zoning rules to attract small businesses
Looking to fill vacant storefronts, Mountain View is implementing a number of zoning changes to make it easier for small businesses to gain a foothold in the city. In a unanimous vote, the City Council backed a recommendation from city staff last week to update Mountain View’s zoning regulations to reduce barriers for small businesses, particularly around permitting and parking...
Urbanowski: March movies, music and arts mania
While Nvidia GTC and NCAA March Madness may capture the initial headlines in San Jose this month, arts and entertainment activities will be extensive and accessible to local residents and visitors alike. San Jose is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the U.S., and its creative community is vital to the city’s authentic...