Politics

Roughly 1.3 million Americans, including more than 8,800 Santa Clara County residents, are starting off the New Year on a bleak note after a federal program extending long-term unemployment benefits was shut down Saturday.

Overwhelmed by public criticism and two lawsuits, the developers of the biggest housing project in Gilroy's history have pulled their application to take more time to sell it to the public.

On a crowded November ballot, sharing space with a county transportation sales tax measure and a state proposition to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use, is Measure H, the official name for the Urban Growth Boundary Initiative, which would limit how big and how fast the city of Gilroy can grow.

Although ballots are still being counted by election officials, updated results for the Nov. 6 election have the likely passage of Gavilan College’s $248 million Measure X bond as well as the election of three new members to the school’s governing body. “This is a very exciting...

Following Friday’s surprise news that Gilroy City Councilman Peter Arellano is exploring the possibility of joining the 2012 mayoral race, Don Gage, Santa Clara Valley Water District director and former Gilroy mayor said he’s thinking about dropping his name into the pool of candidates.

GILROY—City officials weren’t bluffing when the Gilroy Police Department mailed arrest warrants to the owners of two downtown buildings cited as earthquake safety hazards.

Eligible Santa Clara County residents who have not registered to vote in the November 8, 2016 Presidential General Election can take advantage of special extended hours today to ensure that they will be able to cast a ballot. The Registrar of Voters’ Office will remain open until 8:00 p.m. today for those who wish to complete their voter registration forms. Today is the last day to register to vote.  Voters can also register online at www.sccvote.org. Online registration must be completed before midnight in order to meet the deadline. Alternatively, voters can sign and return paper registration forms by mail; forms that are postmarked today will be accepted. Paper registration forms are available at post offices, public libraries, fire stations, city halls, and most local government offices. “We hope that all eligible residents of Santa Clara County register to vote before today’s deadline, and then cast their ballot on or before Election Day. Turnout in the last presidential general election was about 80%. We would love to have an even higher voter turnout this November,” said Registrar of Voters Shannon Bushey.  Voters should complete a new registration form if they have moved, changed a name, or would like to change their political party preference. To register to vote in Santa Clara County, a voter must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on or before Election Day, a Santa Clara County resident and not imprisoned or on parole for a felony. Voters who would like to check their registration status may do so at Check Your Registration Status. Voters may also request to vote by mail for this election at Request a Vote by Mail Ballot, or they may request to become permanent Vote by Mail voters at Permanent Vote by Mail. Postage is prepaid on all Vote by Mail ballots in Santa Clara County. For more information, contact the Registrar of Voters’ Office at 1-408-299-VOTE (8683) or toll-free at 1-866-430-VOTE (8683), or visit www.sccvote.org. 

When 48 full-time employees lost their jobs after Christmas, a