News & Updates

  • San Jose Restaurant Break-In Caught on Camera

    August 09, 2024 2:00 PM

    "District 8 Councilmember for San José Domingo Candelas says he's advocating to hire more police officers and increase patrols in the Evergreen neighborhood."

    Via KRON4 on YouTube.

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    A San Jose restaurant is reeling after waking up to a costly and destructive break-in at one of their newest locations and it was all caught on surveillance video.

    The video shows the moment the masked burglar smashed right through plate glass door and into San Jose's Funny Farm Restaurant on the corner of San Felipe and Yerba Buena at 3:30 a.m. Thursday.

    By Thom Jensen • Published May 6, 2022 • Updated on May 6, 2022 at 11:35 pm

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  • Raging Waters in San Jose set to reopen this summer

    February 15, 2024 12:20 PM

    Raging Waters in San Jose is set to reopen this summer once city leaders give the green light on a tentative agreement with a new operator, according to city officials.

    The once-popular water park closed after the 2023 season, and its operator announced it wouldn't be reopening in 2024, citing declining attendance.

    But Mayor Matt Mahan, along with councilmembers Domingo Candelas and Peter Ortiz, spearheaded an effort to land a new operator, California Dreamin' Entertainment, and the park is set to reopen its gates this summer, Mahan said during a news conference at City Hall on Thursday.

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    By Stephen Ellison and Damian Trujillo • Published February 15, 2024 • Updated on February 15, 2024 at 7:29 pm

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  • Proposed catalytic converter ordinance approved by San Jose City Council

    February 07, 2024 12:00 PM

    The office of Councilmember Domingo Candelas cited data from nationwide insurance claims that reportedly showed catalytic converter thefts skyrocketed during the stay-at-home orders of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    "In San Jose, reported catalytic converter thefts totaled 836 reports in 2023, causing major economic setbacks for victims. Depending on your insurance coverage, replacing a catalytic converter can range anywhere between $1,000 - $3,000," according to Candelas' office.

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    The San Jose City Council unanimously approved a new ordinance that would allow law enforcement to charge those in unlawful possession of catalytic converters, local officials said Tuesday.

    According to city officials, the newly approved measure is expected to strengthen laws prohibiting the illegal possession of catalytic converters, marked or unmarked, and will enact stricter fines within a longer timeframe of violation.

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    By Bay City News • Published February 7, 2024 • Updated on February 7, 2024 at 10:53 am

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  • Councilmembers Domingo Candelas, Peter Ortiz, Dev Davis, Sergio Jimenez, and Bien Doan Strengthen Laws Prohibiting the Unlawful Possession of Catalytic Converters

    February 06, 2024 8:00 AM

    San José, CA —February 6th, 2024. The memorandum brought forward by San José Councilmembers Domingo Candelas, Peter Ortiz, Dev Davis, Sergio Jimenez, and Bien Doan to strengthen laws prohibiting the unlawful possession of catalytic converters was unanimously approved by the full city council. The proposed changes will enact a higher schedule of fines within a longer time frame of violation for the possession of catalytic converters.

    Catalytic converters are a vehicle part that controls the emissions of harmful gases from going into the environment and are lucrative to steal as they contain different types of precious metals that can be re-sold on the black market. Based on nationwide insurance claims, catalytic converter thefts skyrocketed during the stay-at-home orders of the COVID-19 pandemic. In San José, reported catalytic converter thefts totaled 836 reports in 2023, causing major economic setbacks for victims. Depending on your insurance coverage, replacing a catalytic converter can range anywhere between $1,000 - $3,000.

    Councilmember Domingo Candelas states that, "With the passage of this ordinance, we've taken a significant step towards protecting our communities from catalytic converter theft. This ordinance reinforces our commitment to safety, and justice for all members of our community. "

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  • Opinion: Lake Cunningham: A local resource drowning in neglect

    August 03, 2023 3:14 PM

    By Domingo Candelas |

    Restoring 203-acre park will serve as a legacy to our commitment to a sustainable future

    After years of underinvestment, the City of San Jose is finally taking action on Lake Cunningham, thanks in part to funding from state and regional partners.

    Neglect has taken its toll on Lake Cunningham Regional Park, once a vibrant park in the heart of our East San Jose community. Restoring Lake Cunningham is not just an exercise in nostalgia, it is a responsibility we owe to our environment, our community and future generations of San José residents. The effort to revive the lake is a shared responsibility that involves a partnership between government, nonprofits and the private sector.

    By committing to this endeavor, we can showcase our dedication to environmental conservation, biodiversity protection and the overall well-being of each other. The transformation of this 203-acre park will not only enrich our lives today but will serve as a legacy of our commitment to a sustainable future. By restoring the park’s natural habitats, we can provide a sanctuary for native wildlife to flourish once again. Such actions are not just beneficial for our environment, but they also enhance the quality of life for the surrounding community, making our city more sustainable and livable. Improved recreational open space, access to walking trails and places for people to gather and build community are pivotal outcomes we can achieve together.

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  • Domingo Candelas Announces City Council Campaign

    August 03, 2023 3:10 PM

    I’m running for District 8 Councilmember!

    Let's bring more progress to San Jóse.

    Serving as our District 8 Councilmember has been an absolute honor and privilege. During this time I have fought to improve our community by prioritizing community safety, expanding affordable housing, and creating stronger neighborhoods.

    This past year we have been able to make strides in the right direction, and while my time as your District 8 Councilmember is coming to an end, I know there is still work to do. Which is why I am thrilled to announce that I will be running for San Jose City Council in District 8 next year.

    I was born and raised in Council District 8, and it has been my home for my entire life. I am proud to be a graduate of our Evergreen School District and San Jose State University. As a first generation, son of Mexican immigrants, I understand the importance of hard work and perseverance, and that is why making sure everyone in District 8 is represented and heard is a top priority. Change is only possible if we work together and as your Councilmember, I promise to always actively listen to your needs and be an advocate for all District 8 residents.

    Help us keep this campaign moving! Here are four ways you can help:
         1) Donate today! Every cent counts!
         2) Volunteer! We can’t do this without you!
         3) Endorse! Support us through an official endorsement

    Thank you for being one of my earliest supporters.

    Councilmember Domingo Candelas, San Jose District 8

  • Domingo Candelas brings Stanford experience to new role as city councilmember

    August 03, 2023 3:04 PM

    Domingo Candelas served as Stanford’s director of local government affairs until earlier this year when he was appointed to the San Jose City Council to represent District 8.

    As Stanford’s director of local government affairs, Domingo Candelas worked with a wide range of stakeholders to help support the university’s academic mission of teaching and research.

    Now he brings that experience into his new role as San Jose City Councilmember for District 8.

    “Whether with folks at different schools at the university or with external organizations like the chambers of commerce or advocacy organizations, my time at Stanford provided me with more insight into the role of advocacy and creating policy that I now carry with me as a city councilmember who is working to represent more than 100,000 people,” Candelas said.

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  • The first six months: Councilmember Candelas

    June 29, 2023 3:09 AM

    District 8 San Jose Councilmember Domingo Candelas hasn’t moved far from his Evergreen childhood home.

    Growing up in the Brigadoon neighborhood in southeast San Jose, the freshman councilmember attended Evergreen Valley High School and San Jose State University, where he secured his first internship in City Hall with then-Councilmember Sam Liccardo. Now he represents the district he’s all too familiar with—which he said makes him the perfect advocate on the dais for residents in his backyard.

    “My district has this dichotomy of really affluent areas like the country club and also working family areas like Welch Park,” Candelas told San José Spotlight. “When you don’t know the area, then the squeaky wheel will get the grease. But if you are born and raised here like me, then you know which communities don’t have the loudest voices, but still need help.”

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