Crime

The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office has implemented about a quarter of the more than 600 reforms identified in a 2016 plan to improve its jail system, according to a report received Oct. 17 by the county Board of Supervisors from an independent oversight...

The Morgan Hill Police Department is advising motorists that officers throughout April—which is known as Distracted Driving Awareness Month—will be on the lookout for drivers who are in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone law.  “In today’s fast-paced life, it is common to lose focus...

Inmate Daniel Lopez Zavala, who escaped from the San Benito County Jail on May 28, was arrested in San Jose May 29 night following a regional manhunt that lasted nearly two days, authorities said.  The San Benito County Sheriff’s Office has also arrested three people...

The Morgan Hill Police Department will use a $60,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to help make local roads safer.  The grant, which was announced by MHPD on Nov. 14, will support the department’s ongoing enforcement and education efforts “to help reduce...

A former Santa Clara County Sheriff’s deputy was convicted this week of fabricating a “mysterious” drive-by shooting in which he claimed he was the victim near Morgan Hill nearly four years ago, authorities said.  Sukhdeep Gill, now 30, has pleaded guilty to a reduced misdemeanor...

Two new laws taking effect Jan. 1 could affect safety on California’s roads. Cameras at intersections across California already flag drivers who run red lights. Under one law, six cities can begin a pilot program to catch and fine speeding drivers with cameras, with hopes...

Daniel Lopez Zavala, who escaped from the San Benito County Jail on May 28, was arrested in San Jose Wednesday night following a regional manhunt, authorities said.  Zavala, 38, of Hollister, was arrested 7pm May 29 at a hotel in San Jose with his girlfriend,...

Santa Clara County Wildlife Officer Laura Decker was named 2023 Wildlife Officer of the Year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced this week. Decker, who is currently based in the CDFW Gilroy office, began her career with CDFW in 2018. In her short...

As California tackles its fentanyl crisis, two new laws will be taking effect in January that will make drugs that reverse the effects of opioid overdoses easier to access in certain places and update the so-called good Samaritan law to include those who administer...

The City of Morgan Hill is getting ready to expand its police department headquarters on Vineyard Boulevard to allow more space for detectives, traffic officers and training.  The city began soliciting contractor bids for the $200,000 project in late 2023, with a deadline of Jan....