Proposed Santa Clara County budget includes $14.7b in spending
Santa Clara County Executive James R. Williams released a recommended fiscal year 2026-27 budget on May 1 that proposes $14.7 billion in spending while confronting unprecedented federal funding cuts, according to county staff. The recommended budget aims to prioritize essential services and protect the...
Gilroy Garlic Queen is crowned
Rachael Gallagher wears the crown as the 2026 Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen, winning the distinction at the festival’s annual scholarship pageant on April 19.
Gallagher, 25, is a Gilroy native and a graduate of Gilroy High School’s Class of 2018, according to the Gilroy...
Open Space tax measure on June 2 ballot
Santa Clara County voters will decide June 2 whether to approve a parcel tax that would generate an estimated $17 million annually for the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, funding wildfire risk reduction, water protection and open space conservation across the region.
Measure D...
Citizens Business Bank acquires Heritage Bank of Commerce
Heritage Bank of Commerce, which has a branch on Sutter Boulevard in Morgan Hill, recently merged with Citizens Business Bank.
Ontario, Calif. based Citizens Business Bank completed the purchase of Heritage Bank of Commerce and its 16 locations on April 17. The acquisition brings Citizens’...
Krista Rupp transitions from Visit Morgan Hill role
Visit Morgan Hill Executive Director Krista Rupp will depart from her local role to lead Visit Morro Bay, returning to her hometown where her career in tourism began.
Since March 2020, Rupp has led Visit Morgan Hill from a concept to a fully operational organization,...
Recology composting program turns waste into natural fertilizer
On a 16-acre hilltop on Pacheco Pass Highway in southeast Gilroy, Recology turns thousands of tons of yard waste and food scraps from households throughout South Valley into nutrient-rich compost that farmers throughout the region use as a robust natural fertilizer.
The ultimate result is...
Cherry growers expect light crop due to weather challenges
Cherry growers from Coyote Valley to Hollister are reporting one of the worst crops in recent memory after an unusually warm winter left trees without enough cold to fruit properly, followed by a heat wave during the critical bloom period that disrupted germination.
“We have...
Morgan Hill gears up for April 25 Earth Day Festival
Spring is here, and so is Morgan Hill’s fifth Annual Community Earth Day Festival! Join the City of Morgan Hill and the American Association of University Women’s (AAUW) Climate Education and Action Committee on Saturday, April 25, for a day filled with sustainability, climate...
Gavilan spring production explores key chapter of local history
Gavilan College’s theater program will present Luis Valdez’s “Bandido!” on stage for their spring production. Tickets are on sale now for show dates scheduled for 8pm May 8, 9, 15 and 16; and a matinee at 2pm May 16 at the college’s Gilroy campus...
Film, panel celebrate diversity, self expression
A short animated film featuring the final performance of Paul Reubens, best known for his role as Pee-wee Herman, screened April 14 during the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival in Morgan Hill as part of the festival’s LGBTQ+ day of programming.
“The Crown with a...
