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Following a recent revelation in court that Paradise Valley Elementary School teacher John Loyd is now suspected of sexually assaulting four children, Morgan Hill police are seeking anyone who might have had inappropriate contact with the suspect over the years. The Morgan Hill Police Department...

DrugsA 52-year-old man, 2:38 a.m. Nov. 30 on the 7200 block of Monterey Highway in Gilroy, for possession of methamphetamine.A 54-year-old man, 6 p.m. Nov. 29 on Monterey Highway at California Avenue in San Martin, for possession of stolen property and possession of concentrated cannabis.Vehicle burglarySomeone, between 4 p.m. Nov. 23 and 4:20 a.m. Nov. 24 on the 1800 block of Fisher Avenue at Hill Road in Morgan Hill, broke the driver’s side windows of a vehicle and stole six compact discs.VandalismSomeone, between 8:30 p.m and 9:35 p.m. Nov. 23 on the 2200 block of Cochrane Road in Morgan Hill, unlawfully entered a residence and broke a television, which was estimated at $200 in value.

Tucked against the trunk of a substantial redwood tree, naturally camouflaged and constructed from tree branches, bits of bark, leaves, tree needles—the same forest “litter” that covers the surrounding area—a small hobbit-sized shelter is visible. This snug enclosure is just large enough for one, or maybe two, of the middle school students who constructed it, and is one of several forest shelters recently built by Mount Madonna School (MMS) sixth, seventh and eighth graders.

Santa Clara County residents with warrants for their arrest will have the opportunity to spend the holidays with their families instead of in jail as local law enforcement agencies offer certain offenders a “second chance.”From Dec. 1 to Dec. 31, individuals with non-violent misdemeanor criminal and traffic warrants can receive a citation with a new court date instead of being booked into the County Jail, according to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office.The sheriff’s office as well as Morgan Hill and Gilroy police departments are participating in the warrant program, known as Operation Second Chance. Individuals can go to any law enforcement agency in the county to receive their warrant citation, which will require a “promise to appear” court date, authorities said.Operation Second Chance is directed toward most misdemeanor warrants, regardless of the bail amount, according to the press release. This includes warrants stamped “no cite and release” and “no bail.”The following warrants do not qualify for the program, according to the sheriff’s office:—Felony warrants—Any warrant involving violence (including all domestic violence warrants)—Any warrant involving a firearm—Any warrant involving resisting arrest—Any warrant involving giving false information to an officer.Individuals with these types of warrants are nonetheless encouraged to take this opportunity to turn themselves in so they can take care of their matter, authorities said.Over the past 10 years, more than 2,800 people have taken advantage of Operation Second Chance by self-surrendering, according to authorities.Anyone with questions about Operation Second Chance can contact the sheriff’s office at (408) 808-4717.Individuals eligible for Operation Second Chance can turn themselves in at the following South County locations, or any police or sheriff’s office throughout the county:—Sheriff’s Office South County Substation, 80 W. Highland Ave., San Martin—Gilroy Police Department, 7301 Hanna Street, Gilroy—Morgan Hill Police Department, 16200 Vineyard Blvd., Morgan Hill.

Last month's column summarized the results of Audubon's seven-year study on the effect of climate change and habitat loss on birds. The report was written by well-known scientists, but these highly regarded scientists could not have compiled all the data on bird locations and movements by themselves—such a task would be overwhelming. Where did Audubon's scientists get the data needed to complete this study?

Motorists heading onto the roadway under the influence of alcohol or drugs should think twice before getting behind the wheel.