A discussion among Santa Clara County supervisors on everyday gardening tools this week morphed into concerns about immigration witch hunts. The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously axed Board President Otto Lee’s proposal for banning the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in unincorporated neighborhoods. Other supervisors worried the law would send a message encouraging residents...
Santa Clara County Latino health report exposes major gaps
The number of Latino residents dying by suicide has gone up 48% over the last 15 years while making up half of Santa Clara County’s homeless population — and they’re reporting more instances of unfair medical treatment than any other demographic in the county. These are just a sampling of the findings from a massive,...
Santa Clara County grapples with $70M in federal cuts
Santa Clara County’s top executive is recommending layoffs to keep core social safety net services alive in the face of two threats: a steep budget deficit and proposed federal spending cuts under President Donald Trump. County Executive James Williams’ recommended budget would cut 279 positions — about 80 of which are filled and could be...
San Jose veterans worried about future housing
Veterans living in a substandard housing complex in East San Jose have been moved to a hotel while the property continues to be renovated. About nine veterans were relocated from 10 Kirk Ave. in February to a hotel in Milpitas while Santa Clara County works on interior renovations in two buildings. Some of the relocated...
Grant aims to repair Santa Clara County independent living homes
Homes for people struggling with mental illness or recovering from substance use have long flown under Santa Clara County’s radar with substandard conditions and little to no accountability. The county is attempting to right some of those wrongs, starting with a grant to help landlords make much needed repairs to improve residents’ living conditions. Last...
Santa Clara County weighs ranked choice voting for some elections
The pieces are in place to seismically shift Silicon Valley elections — and Santa Clara County supervisors are holding all the cards. For the first time in almost a year, the Board of Supervisors is expected to discuss a potential switch to ranked choice voting at its April 15 finance and government committee meeting. There,...
Santa Clara County to increase revenue by neutering pets
Santa Clara County leaders are facing their most uncertain financial crisis since the pandemic, and they’re turning every stone for ideas on wrangling extra money. That includes, for the first time, spaying and neutering pets. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the new service Tuesday, which will open the Animal Services Center in San Martin...
Santa Clara County considers reentry services at Elmwood jail
Santa Clara County leaders want to reduce recidivism at Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas and plan to study offering transportation and housing options upon release. Unlike the county’s main jail in San Jose, Elmwood doesn’t have a nearby resource center to help formerly incarcerated people reenter society when released. Elmwood releases often occur in the early morning...
San Jose mayor and county clash over homelessness crackdown
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan wants Santa Clara County to scale up shelter and health treatment options in response to the city’s renewed crackdown on homelessness. During Tuesday’s City Council discussion on Mayor Matt Mahan’s 2025-26 March budget message, Councilmembers David Cohen and Domingo Candelas sought to involve county officials in the mayor’s “Responsibility to...
Cupertino to install license plate reader cameras
Criminals driving through Cupertino could be caught by just their license plate as the tech hub becomes one of the last in Santa Clara County to install detection technology. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 Tuesday to allow the County Sheriff’s Office to implement 15 cameras that automatically read license plates throughout...