Supporters of an East San Jose farm say they’ve been trying for years to get the city to invest more in the beloved community park. Instead, city parks officials responded by cutting off the relationship with the group. The 40-year-old Emma Prusch Park Foundation is alleging San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services hasn’t been...
Campbell police use cameras to combat retail theft
A West Valley police department is one of the first in Santa Clara County to target organized retail theft by monitoring businesses’ surveillance cameras — just as voters decide if thieves should receive more punishment statewide. The Campbell Police Department has launched a program that allows businesses to share their live security footage once they call...
Op-ed: We should call out those responsible for harmful attack ads
There are just days left in another historic national election defined by hostility, division, and violent rhetoric. Against this backdrop, many people in our local community have long hoped that we can be better than what we see on the national stage. Unfortunately, this has not proven to be true. While there are candidates and...
San Jose streets getting traffic cameras to improve safety
Dozens of traffic enforcement cameras will be placed across San Jose’s most dangerous streets after city leaders approved a multimillion-dollar pilot program. City transportation officials have examined priority safety corridors where 30% of fatalities and severe injuries are caused by speeding vehicles, and have identified 63 potential locations for “speed safety cameras.” Councilmember Pam Foley,...
Manriquez: Why San Jose needs campaign finance reform
In the heart of Silicon Valley, where progress and innovation are watchwords, San Jose’s democracy faces a crisis of representation. The 2022 election, the most expensive in our city’s history, revealed a troubling truth: the voices of everyday San Jose residents are being drowned out by big money in politics, a trend that continues in...
Silicon Valley homeless residents still eligible to vote
When Gary Diaz was homeless, all he could think about was how he was going to make it to the next day. Now that he’s staying at a temporary housing program at Tully Inn, he’s been able to get his head above water to do things that are important to him — and that includes...
Mendoza: For our kids, the county fairgrounds vote is about more than just soccer
Growing up in East San Jose, it filled me with pride last year to sign my first professional soccer contract at the age of 17 with my hometown San Jose Earthquakes. That said, I’ve been able to witness firsthand the importance of having access to quality fields in our community, which are critical for our...
San Jose official to file complaint over stolen campaign signs
Candidates on both sides of a historic race to seat Santa Clara County’s first Vietnamese American supervisor say their campaign signs have been stolen, torn and defaced. One San Jose leader wants to investigate who’s behind it. District 7 San Jose Councilmember Bien Doan said his office is looking into the theft of campaign signs...
East San Jose district could close nearly half its schools
An East San Jose school district plans to close numerous campuses due to an enormous budget deficit. An Alum Rock Union School District committee is recommending closing 13 of its 21 schools due to declining student enrollment with families moving out of the area, lower birth rates and a steady loss of students to charter...
Sweeney: Vote for a cleaner California, not PG&E’s man in Sacramento
The Assembly District 26 race is seeing the highest level of outside candidate spending by utility giant PG&E, which is pouring unprecedented funds into backing Patrick Ahrens. Far more than in any other state legislative race in California. Our environment, health and pocketbooks are all on the line, and we need leaders who will prioritize...