Help arrives for soaked Morgan Hill residents
As the latest in a line of strong storms was bearing down on the Central Coast this week, the California Conservation Corps (CCC) sent two crews to Morgan Hill to help fill and distribute sandbags for local residents and property owners.
The crews—out of Fresno...
Valley Water to expand creek cleanup program
On Aug. 22, the Valley Water Board of Directors allocated additional resources to support greater service and coordination toward cleaning up trash, debris and hazardous pollutants produced by encampments along waterways in Santa Clara County.
The board approved two new staff positions, adding to Valley...
Expansion to increase South County recycled water capacity
An expansion project underway at the South County Regional Wastewater plant will increase the treatment facility’s capacity by nearly 30%, bring advanced technology to the local recycled water production system, tighten South Valley’s commitment to sustainability and help accommodate the long-term growth coming to...
‘Aggressive’ non-native mosquito found in Gilroy
A non-native Aedes aegypti mosquito—an aggressive species that can spread certain diseases—has been discovered in a residential area of Gilroy, according to the Santa Clara County Vector Control District. A mosquito of the same species was also found recently in a neighborhood of east...
County land purchase expands Uvas Canyon Park in Morgan Hill
The Santa Clara County Parks Department purchased a 95-acre parcel (2026 Uvas Canyon Addition) adjacent to Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill. The property will expand the park’s boundary and provide alternative routes for connector trails envisioned in a countywide master plan, according...
Organic growers see new role in age of climate change
It’s hard to find a job fighting climate change, oddly. But the organic farming industry is one place where a person can make a living making a difference.
Food systems account for 20% to 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to data from the...
Parasite kills native California pigeons
Hundreds of California native pigeons have died this winter due to a parasitic disease, announced state wildlife officials on Feb. 23.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials said they’ve noticed an increase of reported sick and dead band-tailed pigeons since early February, mostly around...
Spade & Plow brings new life to South Valley ranch
Two multi-generational farming families recently formed a partnership on land in Gilroy that aims to preserve agriculture for the long haul in Santa Clara Valley—which is becoming increasingly difficult to do—and bring more fresh, locally grown and organic produce directly to households, restaurants and...
Valley Water Board elects chair, vice chair for 2025
The Valley Water Board of Directors elected Tony Estremera as the Chair for 2025, and Richard P. Santos as Vice Chair. The board voted on their new officers at the Dec. 10 meeting.
Estremera has been on the Valley Water Board since 1996, and is...
McKay: Terroir in the valley
I hear this question a lot: are our local wines as good as Napa’s? OK, that’s a fair question.
Let’s start all this with the fact Napa is considered one of the greatest wine making regions in the world. Period! Italian, Spanish, Croatian, etc… wines...
