Judge won’t seal testimony in Santa Clara County Sheriff’s case
A San Mateo County judge has refused to seal a portion of civil grand jury testimony in a public corruption case against Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith.
Judge Nancy Fineman denied a motion on Feb. 22 to seal testimony given by insurance broker Harpreet...
Gavilan celebrates largest graduating class in college’s history
Gavilan College honored its largest graduating class in school history May 24, awarding 1,779 associate degrees and certificates during a ceremony at the college’s Gilroy campus. It was Gavilan’s 105th commencement ceremony.
“Class of 2025, congratulations. You are a part of history,” Gavilan College Superintendent...
Internet outage no surprise to some, but frustration remains
On Feb. 3 in Morgan Hill, a construction contractor just south of town accidentally cut a fiber optic cable that provided telecommunications service for multiple providers and thousands of customers. The result was a 12-hour internet, cable and cell service outage that brought local...
Haoyun Erin Zhao opens exhibit in downtown Morgan Hill
CURA Contemporary in downtown Morgan Hill on May 3 opened a new exhibit, “Cloud Inscriptions,” a solo show by San Francisco-based artist Haoyun Erin Zhao. The exhibit features paintings “that explore movement and impermanence evoking the ethereal, transient nature of existence,” said Nicole Czapinski,...
Car club to host fundraiser for Morgan Hill family involved in tragic collision
Elisa and Valentina Ornelas—ages 7 and 4, respectively—enjoyed Volkswagens as much as their father, Cesar Ornelas, who is a collector of vintage vehicles. They loved riding in his yellow Bug, which the girls called “the banana,” or his green Volkswagen (“the green bean”) to...
Supervisors adopt $12.5B Santa Clara County budget
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors this week adopted a fiscal year 2024-25 budget that closes a $250 million revenue shortfall while maintaining key public services, according to county officials.
The adopted $12.5 billion budget—approved by the board on June 11—also prevents any of...
Rivas leads effort to combat growing retail theft problem
Nearly four months after forming a bipartisan select committee and two hearings later, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas announced legislation Feb. 15 to combat shoplifting and organized retail theft—just beating a legislative deadline to introduce new bills.
The Hollister Democrat joined Democratic Assemblymembers Rick Zbur of...
Religion: Unanswered Questions
One of the most repeated questions we as human beings ask is, Why? Especially children, who constantly respond to every situation with the same question.
This response may be triggered by different factors: our curiosity, our lack of knowledge, our desire to test someone's patience,...
Voting centers, dropboxes are open
Citizens throughout the nation have begun voting in the 2024 general election, and voters in Santa Clara County can cast their ballots at in-person voting centers or at a number of secure dropboxes throughout the county until the night of Nov. 5.
In addition to...
Local Scene: Flynn elected to prestigious honor society
Monica Flynn, of Morgan Hill, was recently elected to membership into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at San Jose State University. Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, says a press release from the society.
Flynn...

















