Veterans living in a substandard housing complex in East San Jose have been moved to a hotel while the property continues to be renovated. About nine veterans were relocated from 10 Kirk Ave. in February to a hotel in Milpitas while Santa Clara County works on interior renovations in two buildings. Some of the relocated...
San Jose Christmas event nets new contract but still needs funding
As city leaders decide to keep a popular San Jose holiday event downtown under the same management through 2027, organizers say funding remains challenging. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to sign a three-year deal with Christmas In The Park Inc. to continue running the 35-day event in Plaza de Cesar Chavez —...
San Jose arts officials approve mural in stunning reversal
A mural honoring Chicano historical figures will move forward after San Jose arts commissioners made a surprising decision. Dozens of supporters for a proposed mural in San Jose’s Northside neighborhood attended a San Jose Arts Commission meeting Monday at City Hall, after a clash with critics at a previous community meeting threatened to delay the...
West Valley street festivals need city support to stay afloat
The West Valley is known for its flagship festivals that bring multicultural food, live music and dancing to the streets. Those festivals come with a lofty price tag, and organizers are asking their cities for help keeping these beloved events afloat. The Campbell City Council voted 4-1 April 15 to cover 30% of the fee costs for qualifying...
Mackenzie: Earth Month — a time to recognize all that nature does for us
Infrastructure isn’t often associated with beauty or inspiration — but in the case of nature, it’s both. The natural environment does more for us than most of us understand. Earth Month reminds us nature isn’t an abstract concept, it’s an asset we must steward and invest in because nature is the most resilient, cost-effective and...
Mountain View’s downtown businesses see tariffs as obstacle to staying afloat
When Sara Puga walked into her family’s Mexican restaurant last week, she encountered a shattered glass door and the possibility of a burglary. It turned out nothing was taken from Los Portales, the restaurant that her family has run for decades on Moffett Boulevard. But the break in came at a bad time, Puga said....
San Jose sweeps homeless camp near future Microsoft data center site
San Jose is sweeping dozens of RVs and tents off the Alviso-Milpitas Road parallel to Highway 237, leaving the homeless people with no place to go. Some of the unhoused individuals left once they learned a sweep was eminent, but more than a dozen people with no options remained Monday afternoon. Those with inoperable vehicles...
‘A true icon’: San Jose developer, philanthropist dies at 85
Barry Swenson, the groundbreaking developer who reshaped the city’s skyline and became a household name, has died at age 85. Swenson was the third generation leader of Swenson Builders, one of Silicon Valley’s most prominent construction and development firms, known for developing iconic buildings throughout San Jose. Those who knew him remember him for his...
San Jose mayor pushes housing vouchers for homeless shelters
As San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan continues to prioritize funding for temporary solutions over permanent housing, he wants the city to explore a new proposal — using monies from Section 8 housing vouchers for homeless shelters. Santa Clara County Housing Authority leaders announced the plan during the April 15 joint meeting with the City Council....
Los Gatos affordable housing could rise near downtown
Pricey downtown Los Gatos is being primed to become more affordable to live near. The Los Gatos Planning Commission voted 4-1 April 8 to recommend the Town Council adopt zoning changes to allow developers to build 100% affordable housing near downtown along Los Gatos Boulevard, without requiring retail space in their plans. Commissioner Susan Burnett...