Four and a half years ago when the pandemic started, I was a transit-dependent college student, unsure of how the pandemic would impact my future. At the time, transit was my connection to everything: school, work and everywhere I needed to go. But when COVID hit and changed the world overnight, I was forced to...
Evan Low concedes Silicon Valley congressional race to Sam Liccardo
State Assemblymember Evan Low has conceded the race for Silicon Valley’s hottest congressional seat — sending former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo to Washington D.C. Election night results launched Liccardo into a comfortable 20% lead over Low for Congressional District 16, a trend that hasn’t changed much since subsequent ballot tallying updates. Low — whose...
Silicon Valley city named one of best places to retire
A city in Santa Clara County has been named one of the best places to retire in the nation for its health amenities and quality of life. Santa Clara took the No. 3 spot as one of the best places to retire affordably, according to a 2024 Fortune report. The ranking took into account health...
Santa Clara voters promote police lieutenant to chief
Santa Clara voters have selected their new chief of police and city clerk, with early results showing Cory Morgan holding a significant lead in the race to replace Police Chief Pat Nikolai, who is retiring this year. As of 4:58 p.m. on Friday, Morgan is leading with 66.2% of the vote. He is trailed by...
Milpitas mayor leads in close race to keep her seat
Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano is leading the 2024 race by just three points over her closest opponent Councilmember Hon Lien. Montano was first elected Milpitas mayor in 2022 after serving as vice mayor — making her the first woman mayor in the city’s history. With Milpitas mayors serving two years per term, the 2024 campaign...
Silicon Valley gets millions from state to fight homelessness
San Jose and Santa Clara County are set to receive tens of millions of dollars for homelessness prevention and housing. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the latest round of funding last week, totaling $827 million across more than 100 communities, from the Homeless, Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program. San Jose is getting $28.8 million and...
Urbanowski: What’s up in Morgan Hill? Art, that’s what!
In October, I had the pleasure of attending a truly remarkable public art conversation organized by Morgan Hill in collaboration with a rich cross section of partners from sectors across the community. The gathering highlighted the vital role art is playing in the dynamic development of this jewel of a city in the southern part...
San Jose Councilman Omar Torres sodomized cousin, documents show
San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres allegedly sexually abused and sodomized his cousin when his relative was as young as 13, new police records obtained by San José Spotlight have revealed. The disturbing new details emerge as Torres faces three felony counts of child sexual assault, according to new court documents released after his stunning arrest...
San Jose nonprofit gives dignity back to sexual assault victims
Chanel Miller awoke at Valley Medical Center disoriented and alone after she was sexually assaulted on the Stanford University campus. Her clothes were confiscated for DNA evidence and she was left with nothing to wear but a hospital gown and boots. “If I had had to leave the hospital in that state, I imagine I...
Santa Clara votes new candidate in and familiar politician out
In the Mission City’s only open city council race, Albert Gonzalez appears to be leading a 3-way contest to replace Santa Clara Councilmember Kathy Watanabe who terms out in December. As of 4:58 p.m. on Friday, Gonzalez is leading with 43.3% of the vote. He is trailed by Satish Chandra who secured 34.9% of the...