Opinion

People globally celebrate Earth Day on April 22, recognizing the urgent need to help our planet.  What began in 1970 as a grassroots environmental movement in the United States has since grown into the largest secular observance in the world, involving more than a...

Old-school men’s club politics are alive and well in Morgan Hill and Mayor Pro Tem Yvonne Martínez-Beltrán is the latest target of their machinery of dismissal and silencing. Her “crime”? Daring to speak up, to challenge power, and to stand with the people this city’s...

As Memorial Day approaches, our community—like many across the nation—prepares for parades, backyard cookouts and the unofficial start of summer. But at the heart of this holiday lies something far deeper and more solemn: the remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in...

Morgan Hill Kiwanis has worked tirelessly during the past 73 years to support the children of our community through scholarships and a wide variety of youth programs.  Kiwanis is an international service organization, and our local club has a long and deeply rooted history in...

Lately, it can feel like the world is weighed down with stress—global conflicts, economic uncertainty and the fast pace of everyday life. It’s easy to get caught up in the heaviness of it all. But right here in our own community, there are still...

Anyone driving through the cities and unincorporated areas of southern Santa Clara County will immediately notice its diverse and vibrant landscape. For many, the area evokes memories of the region’s rich agricultural heritage.  However, South County's location and topography also make it particularly vulnerable to...

During major storms, hundreds of households and businesses in Morgan Hill are at risk of flooding from Llagas Creek and its smaller streams. Flooding has happened multiple times over the years, including six times since 2000.  I’ve seen the damage these floods leave behind, and...

Nothing says community in Morgan Hill like the Friday Night Music series. This 11-week series brings live music, culture and family fun to downtown Morgan Hill. Beginning Friday morning June 13, the Chamber staff and volunteers will set up the lights, booths and parking,...

The fentanyl crisis is ravaging communities around the country, touching lives across every socioeconomic, racial and geographic line. Yet too often, our conversations about fentanyl overdoses are clouded by stigma, misinformation and judgment.  It’s time to change that. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 50 times...

I'm writing because I want to pay tribute to the restaurant owner at Ladera Grill in Morgan Hill, Dan McCranie. Starting on Veteran's Day a few years ago, he had offered to all veterans a free lunch—and yes, anything on the menu. I was told...