San Jose’s fire department is short staffed, leading to a backlog in fire inspections for new buildings, a recent audit found. Vacancies in engineering and inspection positions, which are key to getting buildings up to fire code, have increased since 2015. According to the report, the city at one point had 20 vacant engineering positions...
Irving: Caregiving in the age of COVID-19 in Santa Clara County
At the beginning of the shelter-in-place orders, I saw an acquaintance post online about how they’ve found themselves suddenly navigating caregiving for an elderly neighbor. They began to calendar in grocery store runs, picking up medications and making daily calls to check in on their neighbor’s physical and mental well-being. As the tasks mounted and...
Santa Clara County seeks funds to buy hotels to house homeless
As Santa Clara County’s homeless population continues to grow, county officials are moving to turn more hotel properties into permanent and interim housing. The county is vying for $19 million in state CARES Act funds through California’s project Homekey to purchase and refurbish two hotel properties and turn them into interim housing for the most...
Coronavirus LIVE BLOG: August 13 to September 12
Catch up on our current Coronavirus LIVE BLOG here. 3:30 p.m. Sept. 11: Santa Clara mayor recaps COVID-19 relief measures Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor on Friday recapped how the Mission City is helping residents survive COVID-19, from small business grants to food distribution programs and rental assistance. The city has also implemented a 6-month relief...
San Jose police release body cam videos from protests
After pressure from the San Jose City Council, the city’s police department late Friday, released body-worn camera footage of recent protests over the police killing of George Floyd. “Body-worn camera video is an essential component in investigations and in maintaining the public trust,” Police Chief Eddie Garcia said in a statement. “Coming up with a...
New panel begins to tackle emergency needs of homeless in Santa Clara County
Even as long-term solutions for homelessness in Santa Clara County gain momentum and support, emergency measures are lacking and likely will get worse. That was the grim reality presented to the county’s Unhoused Task Force, which held its initial meeting Sept. 9. Proposed by Supervisor Dave Cortese earlier this year, the group aims to address...
After COVID-19, artificial intelligence is next challenge facing US jobseekers, lawmakers told
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Those looking for employment in the post-coronavirus job market may face additional challenges due to the emergence of artificial intelligence, according to witnesses and lawmakers who spoke at a Thursday House Budget Committee hearing. “As the economy eventually recovers, workers may find it difficult to get their jobs back as companies replace...
Time of reflection, change as San Jose police chief nears retirement
Quoting Steve Jobs, San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia said he’s not out to please everybody. “If you want to make everyone happy, don’t be a leader — go sell ice cream,” said Garcia, 49, who announced last month he is retiring at the end of the year. Having worked in the city’s roughly 1,400-member...
Years of neglect take toll on San Jose’s declining parks, audit finds
Parks have assumed a heftier role during the pandemic, becoming food distribution sites, gathering spots and operating spaces for local businesses. But according to city staff, the quality of many San Jose parks is on the decline and has been for the past few years. A recent report released by the city auditor found 72%...
South Bay legislators weigh-in as latest coronavirus relief measure flops
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senate Democrats on Thursday blocked a roughly $500 billion GOP coronavirus relief bill, leaving little hope for a bipartisan solution prior to the November election. But Silicon Valley legislators said Democrats had no other choice. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, told San José Spotlight the bill was entirely inadequate. “The Senate waited...