Community Corner

🌱 Why is Santa Clara County’s new schools chief already under scrutiny?

And on the Santa Clara Patch calendar - The Cats Year-End Lunch Buffet Festival – Dec 26, 27 & 28

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Coffee in hand, Santa Clara? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why is Santa Clara County’s new schools chief already under scrutiny?
  • How a Stevens Creek crash led to a murder arrest
  • Why are unhoused deaths falling even as memorial tombstones rise?

Also on today's calendar: The Cats Year-End Lunch Buffet Festival – Dec 26, 27 & 28.

Find out what's happening in Santa Clarafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Santa Clarafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Fog in the morning, with a high of 60 and low of 48 degrees.
  • Friday: A little afternoon rain, temps: high: 62, low: 53.
  • Saturday: Chance of a little p.m. rain, with a high of 64 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Santa Clara County education leader subject of closed door meeting (paloaltoonline.com) — Santa Clara County’s Board of Education quietly met in closed session about an unspecified complaint involving new Superintendent David Toston, leaving the issue unresolved for now. The move comes after years of turmoil, including the 2024 firing of former superintendent Mary Ann Dewan, federal findings of misallocated Head Start funds, and repeated warnings that the board’s governance has destabilized county education programs.
   

2. San Jose man arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with crash (mercurynews.com) — Santa Clara police have arrested a 21-year-old San Jose man on suspicion of murder and reckless driving tied to a deadly two-vehicle crash on Stevens Creek Boulevard last December. Investigators say he was driving a pickup at an excessive, reckless speed when it hit an SUV, killing a 66-year-old man and injuring two others. Witnesses are urged to contact Santa Clara police.
   

3. Tombstone memorial honors unhoused as Santa Clara County deaths fall (ktvu.com) — Unhoused deaths in Santa Clara County have fallen to 146 this year, down sharply from the past three years, even as advocates stress the toll remains devastating. A tombstone memorial at Westminster Presbyterian Church in San Jose will honor each life lost, while the city continues expanding and funding shelter and outreach efforts affecting residents countywide, including Santa Clara.
   

4. Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors appoints Damon Silver as public defender (publicceo.com) — Santa Clara County has named longtime deputy Damon Silver as its new Public Defender, with his tenure beginning Monday, Dec. 22. Silver, who has led major felony and juvenile teams, plans to steer the office through tight budgets while expanding community-focused, data-driven legal services for residents across the county, including Santa Clara.
   

5. Santa Clara County deputies arrest 3 suspected of running plant theft ring (cbsnews.com) — Santa Clara County deputies say they’ve broken up an organized plant-theft ring that hit big-box hardware stores in both Santa Clara and Alameda counties. Tips led investigators to a South San Jose home, where they report finding about $11,000 in stolen plants, cash and vehicles. Three San Jose residents now face accusations including organized retail theft and receiving stolen property.
   

📸 Around Santa Clara

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Residual delays on southbound US-101 south of CA-85 S in San Jose have cleared, and all lanes are open, while a vehicle fire is reported in the San Fernando Valley.
    5:04AM on Dec 17: A vehicle fire on southbound US-101 south of CA-85 S in San Jose has blocked the right and center lanes. (Nextdoor )
  • The Stepping Stones Group, LLC posted a job opening for Paraprofessional / Educator in Santa Clara. Apply here.
  • JOEY Restaurants posted a job opening for .Dishwasher/Steward - JOEY Valley Fair in Santa Clara. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Santa Clara here.

Ok Santa Clara! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
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