San José Spotlight

2 days ago | sanjosespotlight.com | Vicente Vera

As San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan continues to prioritize funding for temporary solutions over permanent housing, he wants the city to explore a new proposal — using monies from Section 8 housing vouchers for homeless shelters. Santa Clara County Housing Authority leaders announced the plan during the April 15 joint meeting with the City Council.

4 days ago | sanjosespotlight.com | Vicente Vera

Tempers flared at a recent community meeting when Latino residents in San Jose’s northside neighborhood advocated for design approval of a Chicano-themed mural. Critics of the proposed mural at Backesto Park, including the members of the 13th Street Neighborhood Advisory Committee, turned out Wednesday evening for a meeting arranged by City Hall officials, hosted by District 3 Councilmember Carl Salas.

5 days ago | sanjosespotlight.com | Annalise Freimarck

The West Valley has scarce resources for the hundreds of homeless residents living on its streets. That may change as elected leaders consider adding its first shelter. All five West Valley municipalities — Cupertino, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, Campbell and Los Gatos —  recently approved a homeless shelter feasibility study conducted by Good City Company. The Cupertino City Council was the last to commit in a 4-1 vote April 2, with Councilmember R “Ray” Wang voting no.

5 days ago | sanjosespotlight.com | Brandon Pho

Santa Clara County elections appear to be cursed — they can’t seem to avoid recounts for too-close-to-call races. The special election to replace the disgraced former District 3 San Jose councilmember Omar Torres  is headed for a recount on April 24. The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters will only have four days to certify the election and confirm the number of votes for the top-two vote getters, with two candidates in a tight race for second place before the June 24 runoff.

6 days ago | sanjosespotlight.com | Annalise Freimarck

Leilany Huerta-Hernandez remembers her throbbing headaches in the late afternoons because she couldn’t afford to purchase food as a West Valley College student. Her hunger was ever-present, but she felt ashamed to ask for help. Students like Huerta-Hernandez will soon be able to cross this one worry off their list. West Valley-Mission Community College District is rolling out a free universal meal program slated to start in the fall. The program will serve in-person students one meal per school day.