Community

While Morgan Hill residents and enthusiasts of public, family-friendly outdoor events may be growing weary of the recent uncertainties surrounding formerly annual gatherings, organizers of one of the city’s most popular celebrations vow to proceed as normal this summer.  And while it is ultimately up...

Santa Clara County government’s largest union, Service Employees International Union Local 521, representing more than 12,000 workers, announced July 28 it had reached a tentative agreement on a labor contract providing an effective 13% in wage increases over three years. The announcement came more than...

The Mount Madonna YMCA finished its annual fundraising campaign, raising more than $140,000 to support youth and senior programs throughout the south county area. More than 100 volunteers began the month of February with a goal of raising $125,000, but were able to smash through that goal. The volunteers celebrated the accomplishment with a victory ceremony Feb. 29. Although the volunteers have finished the fundraising drive, the YMCA accepts donations to the campaign on a year round basis.

Morgan Hill has seen a steep increase in the number of homeless individuals within its city boundaries, according to newly released statistics from a 2017 county homeless report.

Since 1969, the Morgan Hill Historical Society’s Founders Dinner has recognized and honored the local residents—living and departed—who have helped create and preserve the local community from generation to generation.  Serving as one of the nonprofit society’s key fundraisers each year, the Founders Dinner’s chief...

The first installment of Morgan Hill’s 4th Saturday Downtown Street Series brought hundreds of dogs of all sizes and breeds—and their human families—to the neighborhood to socialize and enjoy a variety of games, activities and vendors just for the four-legged friends.  The theme of the...

Morgan Hill’s 2024 citywide pavement rehabilitation project began this week and will continue through October, according to city staff.  The contractor for the pavement work at various public street locations throughout Morgan Hill is Teichert Construction. When the pavement work is completed, Teichert crews or...

More than 400 revelers enjoyed cultural dances, stage performances and authentic cuisine at the Indian Association of South County’s celebration of Diwali Nov. 18.The association’s 23rd annual celebration of the Indian holiday took place at Oakwood School in south Morgan Hill. IASC President Poonam Chabra said the 450 people in attendance was a “record-breaking” crowd.Among the attendees were special guests Ranu Sinha, an award winning filmmaker, writer and director, and Morgan Hill City Councilman Rene Spring.In her comments to the audience, Sinha addressed the youth.“Let no one else stop you, but be yourself,” Sinha said. “Do other things in life that make you happy. It’s not just about becoming doctors or engineers, but support your community and those who are less fortunate.”Spring noted that the City of Morgan Hill has actively strived to embrace and celebrate its cultural diversity in recent years, and the Nov. 18 Diwali celebration is an example.Chabra listed the increasing involvement of IASC within the broader South County community in recent years, with an annual Indian Independence Day flag ceremony and other events. But she said they can do more, and implored IASC members to help the association implement more programs such as a senior resources fair, a youth skills development program and a community focused social media site.Diwali is celebrated in October in India and among Indian-Americans. The IASC held its annual celebration about a month later due to the timing of acquiring a large enough venue.The holiday is India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival acquired its name from rows of clay lamps that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects them from spiritual darkness.The IASC represents more than 400 families in Morgan Hill, Gilroy, San Martin, Hollister and south San Jose. Their website is iascinfo.com.

I want to address the recent letter from Morgan Hill Unified School District Board President Adam Escoto regarding the district’s budget situation. While the claim of financial improvement is encouraging, it only tells part of the story. True transparency is still lacking. The return of...

Over a 24-hour period next month, anyone with a little extra coin who is interested in supporting a specific nonprofit organization can partake in the third annual Silicon Valley Gives online telethon, which has raised millions for worthy causes since its inception.