SANTA CLARA COUNTY evictions have shot up over the past year, prompting local groups and governments to find ways to support renters. The county recorded 3,180 evictions last year, the highest amount since 2014. Compare that to the less than 2,000 evictions between 2020 and 2022 during the pandemic. Key protections tenants won at the […] The post How better tenant access to legal help might reduce Silicon Valley’s growing eviction crisis appeared first on Local News Matters ..read more

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has given final approval for a new project that will convert swaths of surface parking at the Stonestown Galleria mall into approximately 3,500 new homes, acres of open space and other community services. The project could add up to five towers standing between three and 18 floors to the […] The post SF supervisors approve plan for 3,500 homes atop parking lots at Stonestown Galleria mall appeared first on Local News Matters ..read more

Costco is officially on its way to Brentwood. The retailer broke ground Tuesday on the store, which city officials expect to open early next year. “Residents of Brentwood have excitedly awaited the arrival of Costco for far too long,” Brentwood Mayor Joel Bryant said in a statement. “We are delighted to welcome this retailer to […] The post Costco breaks ground in Brentwood, viewed as harbinger of ‘more good things to come’ appeared first on Local News Matters ..read more

African American and Hispanic suspects represent higher percentages of those arrested and booked into county jail than their overall representation in Contra Costa County, according to a report Sheriff David Livingston gave to the county Board of Supervisors this week. Fulfilling a request from supervisors during his last quarterly report earlier this year, Livingston’s report […] The post Blacks, Hispanics make up disproportionate number of criminal bookings in CoCo County appeared first on Local News Matters ..read more

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors has approved the final agreement allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to cast ballots in Oakland and Berkeley school board elections, but it is unclear if it can be implemented in time for the November ballots. Tuesday’s vote codifies agreements between the county, the registrar of voters, Oakland, Berkeley and the […] The post Alameda County approves youth voting pact, but unclear if it will be in time for November appeared first on Local News Matters ..read more

Eight illegal firearms were collected in a gun buyback event in Stockton this past Saturday, police said. Officers collected a total of 167 firearms, eight of which police said were illegal, and distributed about $35,000 in cash gift cards. Cards in the amount of $200 and $400 were distributed depending on the type of firearm. […] The post Bullet points: Police intercept 8 illegal guns, collect 167 overall during Stockton buyback appeared first on Local News Matters ..read more

Dozens of uncashed checks. Expenditures that were not allowed. Tardiness in submitting quarterly performance reports. These are some of the issues found in an audit of local nonprofits providing housing assistance during the pandemic. In fiscal year 2021-22, the San Jose Housing Department received $89 million in federal and state dollars for nonprofits to distribute for […] The post Silicon Valley nonprofits providing housing assistance mismanaged federal grants appeared first on Local News Matters ..read more

The 47-year-old event that brings thousands of runners through some of San Francisco’s most prominent landmarks is expected to attract about 31,000 participants this weekend. Course maps for the various races show routes that will take athletes to places like the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Fisherman’s Wharf, Coit Tower, the Presidio and AT&T […] The post Run through SF’s iconic landmarks: 31,000 runners set to take over city this weekend appeared first on Local News Matters ..read more

Oakland police this week announced the arrest of a Berkeley man in connection with a shooting that left local rapper Tan DaGod dead earlier this month.  Police say Dominic Gates, 30, shot and killed Tan DaGod, whose real name is Alliauna Green, in the 4000 block of Telegraph Avenue at about 5 p.m. on July […] The post Man arrested for shooting death of Oakland rapper Tan DaGod during meet-and-greet appeared first on Local News Matters ..read more

FACING A FUTURE of shortages, California is entering a new phase of water conservation: Cities and towns must meet new mandates ramping down use over the next 15 years — and some will be hit harder than others.  Approved earlier this month, the new state rules require 405 cities and other urban suppliers serving 95% of Californians to meet […] The post Hot, inland California cities face the steepest water cuts with new conservation mandate appeared first on Local News Matters ..read more