Local Politics
Voters in five Bay Area counties will decide on a regional sales tax measure on November 3 to fund public transit agencies facing severe financial deficits. The measure proposes a half-cent sales tax in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties, plus a one-cent tax in San Francisco, starting in April 2027. If the measure fails, BART has announced that ten low-ridership stations could close as early as January 2027, and Muni may cut up to 20 bus routes. The proposed tax would raise an estimated $980 million annually for 14 years to support agencies including BART, Caltrain, and AC Transit.
Crime · San Jose, CA
San Jose police arrested three teenagers after a stolen SUV struck an officer near North 21st and Santa Clara streets early Monday. A second officer fired one round during the encounter, though no juveniles were hit. The suspects, aged 14 to 16, were booked on charges including assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a stolen vehicle. Mayor Matt Mahan cited the incident in discussions about youth violence, highlighting $7 million in current city investments for at-risk youth programs.
Public Safety · San Jose, CA
A carport fire reported around 2 a.m. Thursday destroyed approximately 10 vehicles at the New Horizon Apartments near West Alma Avenue in San Jose, prompting a two-alarm response from the San Jose Fire Department. Residents described hearing explosions and one woman said her window shattered as flames spread between two adjacent apartment complexes. Batt. Chief Robert Herrera confirmed damage was concentrated in vehicle storage areas between the complexes, with some vehicles on the opposite side of a fence also affected. The fire was extinguished, and the arson unit is investigating as part of standard procedure.
