Chris Constantin was sure he’d enlist in the U.S. Army Airborne Rangers after receiving his master’s degree, but his past public service ended up determining his future. The Los Gatos Town Council unanimously selected Constantin as town manager, Los Gatos’ top role, last month. Constantin will oversee about 150 town employees and serve about 33,500...
Los Gatos won’t hold council elections in November
There are no elections in Los Gatos this year because no one in town stepped up to challenge the incumbents, guaranteeing two councilmembers another four years in office. Councilmembers Matthew Hudes and Maria Ristow are up for reelection, but with no challengers the Town Council appointed them to the governing body for the next four...
Los Gatos hardware store could stay as part of development
Bright red flyers rallying neighbors against a proposed housing development with seven stories of homes hang from a development sign in Los Gatos, where a beloved hardware store sits. Rumors have been swirling the store will be razed and the “quaint town” will be damaged — but that might not be true. The Arya, a...
Lack of West Valley homeless shelters prompts action
James, an unhoused Campbell resident, has a hard time trekking to the closest shelter in San Jose roughly 5 1/2 miles away. He avoids shelters, preferring to move around, but would go to a safe one if any were nearby. “I’m surviving right now, I’m surviving,” he told San José Spotlight. “(I’m) getting stuff I...
Heat wave highlights Silicon Valley homeless response problems
Los Gatos’ temperature hit 107 degrees as Mason, wearing a black coat and backpack, walked from his camp in the brush toward Highway 17. He started having heat-related symptoms and laid down, heaving. He didn’t want to die on the streets. Mason, who asked to only use his first name, made it back to the...
Los Gatos struggles to solve beach traffic jam
It’s the most infamous time of year for Los Gatos residents — peak beach traffic season exacerbated by a scorching Fourth of July. The West Valley town is still trying to figure out how to calm traffic down. The Los Gatos Town Council unanimously decided not to place a 1/8-cent general sales tax on the November ballot...
Los Gatos commits more funds for food, rent relief
Los Gatos seniors wait patiently to pick two food items, while eyeing tables piled with essentials such as meat and bread. Then it’s a free-for-all as roughly 70 participants load their arms and bags with groceries for the week. Janet Penney, 75 in June, sits down to chat with her friends and munch on banana...
Los Gatos officials approve sale tax ballot measure
Los Gatos’ sales tax could reach its limit after the November election if the majority of voters pass a revenue-generating measure intended to fund some of the town’s top issues. The Los Gatos Town Council voted 4-1 earlier this month to approve putting a 1/8-cent sales tax on the November ballot after reviewing positive community...
State signs off on Los Gatos housing plan
After months of contentious debate among residents and town officials, Los Gatos has received state approval to build nearly 2,000 homes more than a year past the deadline. Los Gatos received a letter from the state on Friday stating it met “statutory requirements.” This is the town’s sixth attempt at its housing element — a...
Housing development could loom over Los Gatos backyards
A quiet neighborhood just off bustling Los Gatos Boulevard could be forever changed if a massive housing project comes to fruition. Benedict Lane residents voiced concerns at a Los Gatos Town Council meeting earlier this month about the height of a proposed seven-story housing development that would abut against their backyards. The project is in the early...