Major salt pond restoration nears completion in Mountain View
Major salt pond restoration nears completion in Mountain View – Mountain View Voice Big PictureA major phase of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project in Mountain View is nearing completion, marking a significant step in returning former industrial salt ponds to functioning tidal wetlands. The 435-acre site near Shoreline Park has completed most of […]
San Jose traffic deaths dropped in 2025
San Jose traffic deaths dropped in 2025 – San José Spotlight Big Picture:San Jose saw a meaningful drop in traffic deaths in 2025, continuing a multi-year downward trend in roadway fatalities. Last year 41 people died on city streets, a 16% decline from 49 in 2024 and the lowest total since 2012. It marks the […]
San Jose police arrest Gilroy man linked to 114 vehicle burglaries in two days
SJ police arrest Gilroy man linked to 114 vehicle burglaries – NBC Bay Areav Big Picture San José police arrested Ramses Hernandez Rivera, a 23-year-old from Gilroy, on suspicion of being behind a massive vehicle burglary spree that hit 114 cars in North San Jose over just two days in November 2025. Officers tied him […]
Palo Alto Doubles Down to Meet Climate Goals
Palo Alto doubles down to meet climate goals – San José Spotlight Big Picture Palo Alto is updating and reaffirming its climate strategy as it pushes toward an aggressive goal: cutting greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. City leaders are backing a refreshed Sustainability and Climate Action Plan that focuses heavily […]
VTA asks for $44 million for added service during World Cup
VTA seeks $44 million from the state for added service during World Cup Big pictureThe Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is asking California for about $44 million to enhance transit service in the Bay Area ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will bring multiple matches and huge crowds to Levi’s Stadium in Santa […]
Santa Clara Fairgrounds Plans Continue to Unravel
Cricket stadium a no-go at Santa Clara County Fairgrounds – San José Spotlight Big PictureSanta Clara County has ended negotiations to build a 15,000-seat cricket stadium after several years of discussions with Major League Cricket and later a local team, as reported by San Jose Spotlight. County officials pointed to missed deadlines, cost concerns and […]
Santa Clara County looks to consolidate independent boards
Santa Clara County looks to consolidate independent boards – San José Spotlight Big Picture Santa Clara County is moving to tighten control over a set of semi-independent boards and authorities that operate alongside county government. The idea is to reduce fragmentation, bring decision-making closer to the Board of Supervisors, and eliminate situations where residents and […]
Mayor Lurie Takes Major Step to Drive San Francisco’s Recovery
Mayor Lurie Takes Major Step to Drive San Francisco’s Recovery, Launching Process to Create a Single, Centralized Permitting Organization | SF.gov The Big Picture On January 15, 2026, Mayor Daniel Lurie launched a major initiative to consolidate San Francisco’s fragmented permitting landscape into a single, centralized organization. This reform merges the Planning Department, the Department of Building […]
San José’s Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for a 100-megawatt battery energy storage system
Big Picture San José’s Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit (CP24-015 / ER24-139) for a 100 MW battery energy storage facility at 6150 San Ignacio Avenue on an approximately 5.5-acre site currently used for vehicle storage. The project includes battery modules, inverters, and a collector substation, with extended construction hours including Saturdays. Staff said […]
Coyote Valley’s plan for wildlife crossings
Big picture Wildlife crossings planned for Coyote Valley are increasingly being framed not just as environmental projects, but as public safety infrastructure. According to new data cited in the Mercury News, vehicle crashes involving wildlife along Highway 101 and nearby roads in South San José and Coyote Valley have caused millions of dollars in damage, […]