After public outcry across the Bay Area, state regulators this week barred AT&T from pulling out of a crucial lifeline for hard-to-reach residents in remote pockets of Santa Clara County: basic landline services. But on the eve of the California Public Utilities Commission’s Thursday decision, a state law proposal about horse racing was gutted and...
Former Santa Clara County sheriff loses another appeal
The California Supreme Court won’t hear former Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith’s appeal of a case that disqualified her from holding public office. The high court denied Smith’s petition for review on June 18, records show. It comes after jurors in a 2022 civil trial found Smith guilty of six corruption and willful misconduct...
San Jose wage theft policy compromises with developers
San Jose could withhold certifications from big developers who use contractors with unpaid wage theft judgments in California under a new construction policy. The San Jose City Council unanimously approved the “responsible construction” policy on Tuesday after first reviewing it last year. Companies found to have unpaid wage theft settlements must address those before the...
Silicon Valley voters won’t see anti-tax measure on November ballot
The California Supreme Court has blocked an anti-tax ballot measure that faced fierce opposition from local officials, unions and activists in Santa Clara County. The panel’s unanimous decision on Thursday orders Secretary of State Shirley Weber not to place the measure on the November ballot, which if approved would have brought all statewide tax increases...
Santa Clara County approves ‘less invasive’ house arrest monitors
Santa Clara County courthouses are trading in ankle monitors for less conspicuous surveillance of people who are on probation or awaiting trial. County judges in the coming weeks can instead monitor people through wristwatch trackers or specialized mobile phones with limited functionality, after the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a $3...
Santa Clara County stops budget bleed, not future woes
Santa Clara County leaders have managed to approve a $12.5 billion budget that closes a massive deficit. But their problems will only mount in the coming year. The budget — which the Board of Supervisors approved unanimously earlier this month — cuts a total of 222 vacant and filled county jobs and reduces public health...
Popular Cupertino farmers market up for grabs a second time
A popular farmers market in Cupertino is up for grabs in a battle over who can provide the West Valley city fresh tomatoes and strawberries — and it hasn’t been without growing pains. The Foothill-De Anza Community College District has reopened bidding for the Cupertino Farmers Market following community backlash this month after existing operator West Coast Farmers...
UPDATE: San Jose to study potential cost of safe sleeping sites
San Jose officials came through on their promise to add safe sleeping sites throughout the city as they come closer to getting homeless residents off the streets and the waterways cleaned up. In order to reach the city’s goal of moving people living along the waterways, the San Jose City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously...
San Jose parks lose millions as developers get tax break
San Jose is cutting taxes and fees for at least 14 high-rise development projects or more than 4,000 homes in downtown. The San Jose City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to extend the existing Downtown Residential High-Rise Program to reduce developer costs in an effort to spark more incentives for housing construction. Under the new...
Santa Clara County addresses Shigella spread in homeless camps
A bacterial outbreak has emerged among homeless individuals living at San Jose encampments in Columbus and Roosevelt parks, but health officials say the risk to the general public is low. Three confirmed cases of Shigella, a highly contagious intestinal bacteria, were identified between June 3-17. Two individuals have been hospitalized and four people are being evaluated....