Latest news with #SantaClaraCounty
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Silicon Valley 'pain index' shows growing gap between wealthy
SAN JOSE, Calif. - A new report from San Jose State University researchers is putting a spotlight on a big problem: the growing gap between Silicon Valley's wealthiest households - and everyone else. The report is called the "Silicon Valley Pain Index," because the goal is to measure poverty, inequality and the suffering this can cause. SJSU researchers used more than 200 data points and statistics to put together the report. One of the more startling figures is the fact that more than 70 percent of the wealth in Silicon Valley is concentrated in just nine households. Those nine households made $136 billion more last year alone than they did the year before. Compare that to at least 100,000 households in Santa Clara County with absolutely no assets at all. The authors of the report say the wealth gap in the region has grown, and this extreme income disparity leads to all kinds of problems, especially when it comes to food, education and housing. The report says the average person needs to make at least $125,000 a year to be able to afford San Jose's average $3,200-a-month rent. And that a lack of affordable housing has created a domino effect - with families leaving the area, leading to lower enrollment in schools, and school closures. It also means a shortage of workers for essential jobs. The report's authors say San Jose would have to build about 8,000 new homes every year to reach its long-term housing goals. The most the city has ever built in a year is about 1,700 homes. There are some positive changes the report highlighted - including a decline in police use-of-force incidents in San Jose last year; fewer carbon emissions and pollution; and expanded homeless services in the community last year. The authors of the study say they hope it leads to policy changes amd changes in behavior among the wealthiest individuals. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
18-07-2025
- CBS News
San Jose man facing murder charges in fentanyl overdose deaths of 2 children
Prosecutors in Santa Clara County said a suspected drug dealer is now facing two murder charges in connection with the overdose deaths of two children who were exposed to fentanyl. District Attorney Jeff Rosen's office announced Friday that 33-year-old Philip Ortega has been charged with murder in the May 2023 death of the infant, who prosecutors called "Baby Phoenix." Ortega was previously charged with murder in the Aug. 2023 overdose death of another infant, who was dubbed "Baby Winter." Prosecutors also added a murder charge against the father of Baby Phoenix, 40-year-old David Anthony Castro, who was previously charged with felony child endangerment. "The senseless deaths of these two little girls broke our hearts yet hardened our determination to hold responsible the people whose recklessness killed them," Rosen said in a statement. "The fact that the same man provided the fatal drugs that took the lives of Baby Phoenix and Baby Winter within a handful of months of each other is beyond shocking." According to prosecutors, Baby Phoenix was found dead on May 13, 2023, in an apartment littered with drug paraphernalia. An autopsy determined she had died from a lethal combination of methamphetamine and fentanyl. The DA's office said new evidence shows Castro sought Ortega, who provided drugs to him the night before her daughter was found dead. Prosecutors said he also delayed calling for medical help as he was trying to obtain synthetic urine from a nearby smoke shop to hide drug use. Phoenix's mother was not at home at the time of her daughter's death and died of an overdose in Sep. 2023, prosecutors said previously. Last year, Ortega was among four people who were charged in the death of Baby Winter. Prosecutors said on Aug. 12, 2023, Winter's parents waited more than 12 hours before calling 911 to report their daughter was dead. Winter's parents, Derek Vaughn Rayo and Kelly Gene Richardson, were the first in the county's history to be charged with murder in connection with their own child's overdose death. The DA's office said both Ortega and Castro will be arraigned on the murder charges Friday afternoon. Both men face life in prison if convicted.
CBS News
17-07-2025
- CBS News
Santa Clara County sheriffs' deputies arrest Gilroy man for suspected 7th DUI
A Gilroy man who has been convicted for driving under the influence at least half a dozen times has been arrested for a 7th suspected DUI, deputies said. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that a deputy was on patrol on Center Avenue in San Martin when a driver in a white sedan nearly rear-ended his vehicle. Deputies said the sedan swerved "dangerously" and went off the road twice. When the deputy attempted to pull over the driver, the sheriff's office said he attempted to flee. The driver, identified as 28-year-old Junior Bernardino of Gilroy, was arrested. According to the sheriff's office, Bernardino had six prior DUI convictions, four of which were felonies, and his license was suspended 13 times. Deputies said a test determined Bernardino had a blood alcohol level of .197, more than twice the legal limit of .08. The sheriff's office said he also had an open 12-pack box of beer in the back seat. "Drunk driving is dangerous and deadly. This reckless behavior puts everyone on the road at risk," the sheriff's office said in a statement. Bernardino was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of DUI and other charges. His vehicle was also impounded.
CBS News
15-07-2025
- CBS News
Fairfield police arrest man after bags of stolen mail recovered
A man was arrested in Solano County over the weekend after authorities said they found bags of stolen mail and other items in his vehicle. According to Fairfield police, officers were called to a home on Pittman Road following reports of a man who was passed out. Two officers located the man and found that he was on probation with a search clause. Officers conducted a search of his vehicle. Police said they found a "significant quantity" of items that were stolen. The items included four bags of stolen mail, stolen license plates and stolen ID cars. Police said they also found a credit card maker along with fraudulent checks. In a statement Tuesday, police said a majority of the stolen items were found to be from Santa Clara County. Two additional officers were brought in to assist with the investigation, due to the amount of items that were found. The man, identified as Tung Che, was booked into the Solano County Jail on suspicion of fraud and mail theft.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Earthquakes rattle the South Bay
The Brief Two small earthquakes struck the South Bay on Tuesday. The quakes hit less than two hours from each other. LOS ALTOS, Calif. - Two small earthquakes hit the South Bay on Tuesday. What we know The first one struck at 2:16 p.m. and measured at a magnitude of 3.0. It was centered near the community of Loyola near Los Altos in Santa Clara County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. People in a number of cities, including Los Altos, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, and Cupertino, reported feeling the ground shake, based on the USGS's "Did you feel it" responses. Then, shortly before 4 p.m., another small quake hit the same area. The second one struck at a magnitude of 2.6, according to the USGS. There were no initial reports of injuries or damage from either event, but they were a reminder that we are in earthquake country.
