Community

The South County Railroaders and Santa Cruz Garden Railroaders will host the South County community at its 19th annual Garden Railroad Tour. The requested nonperishable food and monetary donations from visitors will go to two South County food banks.

Don't forget - you can start your Independence Day celebration early with the Freedom Fest Freedom Run early in the morning July 4, just before the downtown parade. 

The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department is advising that cases of pertussis, also known as “whooping cough,” are increasing in the Bay Area and that people should be aware of the symptoms.

Amber Settle wants teenagers to have a place to turn when times are at their toughest. She wants them to have someone to talk to – someone other than a family member or teacher.

President Tammy Brownlow of the Gilroy Economic Development Committee confirmed that a national company is looking at building its new distribution center in the McCarthy Business Park on Highway 152, east of U.S. 101.

Residents of Gilroy were stirred, but not necessarily shaken by a 3.9. magnitude earthquake at 8:52 p.m. Thursday that caused a moderate rolling movement. The temblor’s epicenter was seven miles south-southwest of Hollister at a depth of six kilometers, according to the United States Geographical Service. The USGS describes the temblor as being “strongly felt in the Gilroy-Hollister area.”

Local VTA bus lines will operate on a limited schedule Thursday, July 4, in observance of the Independence day holiday. The bus routes will operate on a “Sunday/holiday” schedule rather than a typical weekday schedule, according to a press release from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. Caltrain will also run on a Sunday/holiday schedule, meaning no service to or from South County for the holiday, according to the press release. Regular weekday service will resume Friday, July 5. Automated VTA bus and light rail schedule information can be obtained by calling (408) 321-2300, or by visiting www.vta.org and clicking on the Google Trip Planner to plan a customized trip.