San Jose councilmembers are calling for the resignation of Omar Torres almost a week after a police affidavit revealed he’s under investigation for alleged sex crimes involving minors. “We are in the midst of an active and ongoing investigation, and as our police department uncovers the truth, that truth will be shared with the community....
San Jose candidate temporarily decertified as a police officer
A San Jose police sergeant and City Council candidate has had his officer certification temporarily suspended by the state police board amid allegations of mortgage fraud. The state’s Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training temporarily decertified Tam Troung on Sept. 18 due to his pending criminal proceedings. The state board decertifies officers when they...
Police: San Jose official investigated for alleged ‘oral copulation of a minor’
New court records released Thursday show San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres is being investigated for “oral copulation of a minor” — a stunning development in a criminal investigation that’s rocked Silicon Valley. In the filings, police say they interviewed an individual named Terry Beeks, who is described as a 21-year-old Chicago resident allegedly extorting Torres....
Crime data in San Jose just got smarter
Residents will soon be able to view San Jose Police Department crime statistics broken down by council districts as part of an effort to expand transparency requirements citywide. Rules Committee members voted unanimously to approve a proposal by Councilmember Arjun Batra to publish public safety data by districts. Batra said his goal is to change the...
San Jose official lawyers up, blasts child sex abuse allegations
Less than 24 hours after San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres was detained and investigated for sexual misconduct involving a minor, he claims he’s being extorted and has lawyered up — and his attorney is a familiar face in political circles. Torres has enlisted Nelson McElmurry, a San Jose lawyer who earlier this year ran for...
Election 2024: Labor advocate runs for San Jose District 6 seat
Olivia Navarro grew up watching her dad guide the Tamien Neighborhood Association in San Jose. This inspired her to lead groups within the Democratic Party — Chicano Latino Caucus, Stonewall LGBTQ+ and Movimiento Democratic Coalition. Toiling with the idea of running for office throughout her career in politics, Navarro, 46, said she decided to focus...
UPDATE: San Jose approves tax breaks to fill empty office space
San Jose city leaders want to entice new businesses into filling empty office space in Downtown San Jose with perks that can save them money. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a policy for any new business looking for a minimum of 2,500 square feet to be exempt from paying city business taxes...
Election 2024: Willow Glen native seeks San Jose District 6 seat
Michael Mulcahy helped keep the curtains rising at the Children’s Musical Theater in San Jose when he took over as executive director for almost a decade in 1993 — growing the youth arts center into the powerhouse it is today. He called the experience the role of a lifetime. Now a managing partner at his...
San Jose landmark status saves church from demolition
An 83-year-old church in downtown San Jose has been granted historic landmark status after years of fighting invasive development proposals that could have demolished the house of worship. Grace Baptist Church at 484 E. San Fernando St. has been designated a historic landmark for its architectural and cultural value. The San Jose City Council’s decision...
Election 2024: San Jose official wants to keep improving District 8
Domingo Candelas has hit the ground running since being appointed to represent District 8 on the San Jose City Council in 2023. As the incumbent, he wants a chance to his continue the work he started for a full four-year term, but first he has to beat his challenger Tam Truong who came in a close second during...