Fruit picking, wine tasting and weddings — Silicon Valley leaders want to preserve the romance of their farmlands through tourism as the “Valley of Heart’s Delight” gives way to strip malls and tech campuses. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously moved forward with the idea of creating an economic development office...
Santa Clara County concealed carry permits will cost more
Santa Clara County gun owners will have to pay more for concealed carry weapons licenses — and threats of lawsuits are already rolling in. The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved Sheriff Bob Jonsen’s proposal to hike the fees for new civilian licenses from $662 to $976. The standard renewal required every two years...
Santa Clara County CARE program begins mental health treatment
As the sweeping promises of a new behavioral health court take shape slower than expected across California, Santa Clara County is one of the last to roll it out. A new civil court process known as the CARE Program — or CARE Court — allows anyone from a family member to a first responder to...
Santa Clara County elections may bring historic changes to leadership
It’s an election year like none other, including the races for Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. The board is set to have an Asian American majority for the first time, with Betty Duong and Margaret Abe-Koga leading in Districts 2 and 5 respectively, slated to join Supervisor Otto Lee. Duong and Abe-Koga will be...
Santa Clara County leaders skeptical of Earthquakes deal
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors has stopped short of letting the San Jose Earthquakes build a private soccer complex at the county fairgrounds under the current proposed terms. Some county leaders on Tuesday slammed the Earthquakes’ proposed terms as a “laughable” sweetheart deal that low-balled the public on community benefits — and expressed...
Abe-Koga will be next Santa Clara County supervisor in District 5
Margaret Abe-Koga has a significant lead over Sally Lieber for the Santa Clara County Supervisor District 5 race. As of 5 p.m. Friday, Mountain View Councilmember Abe-Koga has 57.3% of the vote, or 66,070 votes. Lieber, California State Board of Equalization chair, trails with 42.6% of the vote, or 49,125 votes. The county’s voter turnout...
Betty Duong leads competitive Santa Clara County race
In a highly-competitive race to become Santa Clara County’s first Vietnamese American supervisor, Betty Duong appears to have a slight edge over Madison Nguyen. As of 5 p.m. Friday, Duong is leading her opponent with 52.6% of the vote, or 36,367 votes. Nguyen, a former San Jose councilmember and vice mayor, is trailing with 47.3%...
Fast-food and unions are funding this Silicon Valley contest
The fight between business and labor interests is finding ground in the race for District 2 on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. Special interest groups have collectively spent $1.2 million to elect either former San Jose Vice Mayor Madison Nguyen or Betty Duong, chief of staff for District 2 Supervisor Cindy Chavez, who...
Silicon Valley ad campaign ties candidates to embattled official
A text campaign attacking two labor-backed candidates for their prior association with embattled San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres is popping up on phones across Santa Clara County — a political play some are deeming dirty with the election just a week away. The advertisements show pictures of San Jose City Council District 2 candidate Pamela...
Silicon Valley campaigning turns nasty in final days of election
With just weeks before the November election, campaigns have become ugly with local races in the bull’s-eye of unfounded accusations. District 8 San Jose Councilmember Domingo Candelas is being compared to former President Donald Trump. Mailers are defining San Jose City Council District 2 candidates Joe Lopez and Pamela Campos as political radicals, and in...