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Morgan Hill
April 6, 2026

Locals: City wants your input for ‘Morgan Hill 2035’

Twenty years from now, Morgan Hill should be...

Easy does it

Yesterday, my marathon training plan listed: "5 miles, easy." If you are actually following a specific plan for a race of any distance, it helps to understand the terms that are used. Nearly every race plan includes "easy" days, but what exactly does that mean? Easy is not specific at all--it is the opposite of "hard"--I know that much. But how easy is easy? What does "easy" mean for me? It's obvious that easy days alternate with "hard" days, so it's plain to see that this easy-hard pattern is meant to keep runners from turning every workout into a Hard Day.

Search is on for yellow-bellied marmot

As volunteers walked down the driveway after a day of feeding wildlife and cleaning enclosures at the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center, they were mystified to hear an unusual whistling-chirping sound coming from underneath a parked vehicle. Getting low on the ground and peeking up under the car, they were astonished to see a large face staring right back at them. Looking and sounding like a super-sized ground squirrel (which in truth, it is), it turned out to be a yellow-bellied marmot, normally a denizen of the Sierra and Rocky mountains. We quickly learned why they're nick-named “whistle pigs” - they whistle when alarmed by predators, such as wolves, foxes, coyotes, badgers, bobcats, golden eagles, hawks, owls, weasels, humans and dogs (one of which had just chased this particular marmot under the car).

GVA Cafe celebrates one year

On June 28, Grinds, Vines and Automobilia Café celebrated the end of its first year in business with some loyal customers at a ribbon cutting ceremony with staff, ambassadors and board members of the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce.

Landscape Innovation wins awards

Landscape Innovation of Gilroy recently received three awards by the California Landscape Contractors Association. The awards were first place in design, Ken and Penny Perluss; first place in lighting, Goldsmith residence; and second place in renovation, Elks Lodge of Gilroy.

David James Perales July 6, 1956 – July 15, 2013

Memorial Services will be Saturday, July 20, 2013, at 11:00 A.M,. Calvary Baptist Church located on 1900 Highland Dr., Hollister, CA 95023 (831) 637-2909 a reception will follow at his Aunt Carla’s home on Iris Street. Send Condolences to www.grunnagle.com  

UPDATED: YMCA employee accused of sexually abusing child

Morgan Hill police arrested a YMCA childcare employee on suspicion of sexually abusing a 6-year-old child under his care, and subsequently found more evidence that more children may have been victimized by the suspect, authorities said.  Officers were notified last Friday that the 6-year-old girl complained that Nicolas Lhermine, 20 of Morgan Hill, forced her to engage in a “lewd and lascivious act” while attending a local YMCA childcare program, according to Morgan Hill Police Capt. Shane Palsgrove. Police arrested Lhermine the same day the child reported the incident, Palsgrove said. Upon further investigation, officers found evidence of child pornography in his possession - including an obscene photograph of an underage girl. “We collected his cell phone and other electronic equipment, and located some images of persons under the age of 18,” Palsgrove said. “We confirmed the identity of one of those people, and we’re doing a forensic analysis to try and locate others, or find out if they are of age, or if they are the same person.” The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office charged Lhermine with sexual acts with a child age 10 or younger, and possession of child pornography. He is scheduled to be arraigned at South County Courthouse in Morgan Hill at 1 p.m. Wednesday. Police and YMCA officials are in the process of notifying parents of other children who may have been in contact with Lhermine, who has worked at the YMCA for four years in various capacities, Palsgrove said. Lhermine had violated several YMCA policies that were in place to prevent staff from being alone with the children, and the nonprofit organization is conducting its own investigation to determine how the suspect ended up alone with the 6-year-old victim, YMCA CEO Elizabeth Jordan said. Furthermore, YMCA officials saw no red flags indicating that Lhermine could not be trusted around children, as he was cleared by state and federal law enforcement background checks when he was hired, and all his personal and professional references gave “exemplary” reviews of the employee, Jordan said. “At the Y, the safety and well-being of all children in our care is our primary objective,” YMCA Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Jordan said. “We are taking this matter very seriously and are cooperating with the Morgan Hill Police Department’s investigation of the allegation.” In addition to a background check upon hiring, Lhermine and other YMCA employees are subject to annual and semi-annual reviews while employed with the organization, Jordan said. All of these reviews gave Lhermine a positive evaluation. Plus, YMCA employees undergo ongoing training after they are hired. The YMCA has “multiple and myriad” policies and rules that are intended to prevent employees from being alone with children, Jordan added. These include a “cross referencing system” in which employees keep tabs on each other’s locations, and strict procedures on bathroom use. “We are all trained ad nauseum that you’re never allowed alone with a child,” Jordan said. Jordan and other YMCA officials were preparing to meet with police to discuss the details of the case Wednesday morning.“We’re going to do our own full investigation into how this could possibly have happened,” Jordan said. The childcare program where Friday’s incident took place was stationed at Paradise Valley Elementary School, Palsgrove added. City staff noted that Lhermine was not an employee at the Centennial Recreation Center, where the YMCA partners with the City to run the facility and several programs there. The childcare program where Lhermine worked was sponsored solely by the YMCA, which used a portable unit on campus for the program. Lhermine’s employment at the YMCA did not include any involvement in any programs the nonprofit offers in partnership with the City or local schools. “Please be assured that that the safety and well being of your family and especially your children is our highest priority here at the CRC,” read a notice to CRC members from Morgan Hill Community Services Manager Maureen Tobin. Authorities also noted that Community Solutions offers free services to the victims of sexual assaults, and professionals there encourage victims and parents to make use of those services.“Statistics indicate that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18,” Community Solutions Sexual Assault Program Manager Erica Elliot said. “The effects of child sexual abuse can be devastating, which is why it is so important for those that are victimized to reach out for services and support. Survivors need to know it is never too late to get help, and parents need to know that it is never too early to start a conversation with their children about good versus bad touches and safe versus unsafe secrets.” Community Solutions’ crisis line can be reached at (877) 363-7238. Anyone with information about this incident, or who thinks they or their children may have been victimized by Lhermine can contact Morgan Hill Police Detective Burdick at (408) 779-2101 or the anonymous tip line at (408) 947-7867. 

Teach children about sex before they become active

DEAR ABBY: I became sexually active at an extremely young age. I know my whole life would be different, as well as my children's lives, had I just known better. I have a 4-year-old daughter, a 7-year-old son and a 12-year-old stepson. I want desperately to protect them from making the same mistakes I did. I feel like the best way to prevent this is to speak openly about sex.

Adopt Lobo

Lobo is a 1-year-old German shepherd mix who is a little shy, but sweet and loves to be pet and go for walks. He is good on a leash and great with larger dogs. He has been at the San Martin Animal Shelter since June.  Interested? Call (408) 686-3900.  

MH police blotter: Man, 46, arrested on suspicion of forgery

MHPD arrestsDriving without a valid licenseEdgar Rivera, 38, 10:58 a.m. June 26, on Laurel Road. Joas L. Ojeda, 24, 12:25 p.m. June 27, at Monterey and Watsonville roads.Julian J. Lujan, 21, 4:50 p.m. June 27, at Vineyard Boulevard and Monterey Road.  Manuel Camacho, 30, 12:13 a.m. June 29, at San Tomas Lane and San Pedro Avenue. Yvonne S. Mendoza, 30, 10:17 p.m. June 29, at Old Monterey and Llagas roads. Steven A. Bridges, 32, 12:30 p.m. June 30, at Monterey Road and Vineyard Boulevard. RobberyJoseph J. Darosa, 19, 12 a.m. June 27, at Santa Clara County Jail. ForgeryPablo R. Esparza, 46, 12:26 a.m. June 27, on Monterey Road. WarrantDontae L. Jones, 33, 1:30 a.m. June 27, on Hale Avenue. Arnulfo T. Zamora, 36, 4:31 p.m. June 28, at Monterey Road and Vineyard Boulevard. Patrick M. Shipley, 30, 11:34 p.m. June 29, on Audrey Drive. Drunk in publicTami M. Roth, 47, 1:54 p.m. June 27, on Monterey Road. William E. Green, 51, 1:30 p.m. July 2, at Monterey Road and Dunne Avenue. Rejino Cabajal, 49, 9:05 p.m. July 2, at Tennant Station. Controlled substanceJorge Navarro, 33, 10:34 a.m. June 28, on San Pedro Avenue, for being under the influence. Jeanette M. Silva, 43, 10:34 a.m. June 28, on San Pedro Avenue, for being under the influence. Javier L. Huerta, 25, 11:34 p.m. June 29, on Audrey Drive, for possession of narcotics. Israel H. Herrera, 25, 9:01 a.m. July 4, on West Edmundson Avenue, for possession of marijuana for sale. Gerardo H. Hernandez, 22, 9:01 a.m. July 4, on West Edmundson Avenue, for possession of marijuana for sale. Daniel J. Hernandez, 18, 2:11 p.m. July 5, on Calle Mazatan, for possession of marijuana for sale. Lewd conduct in publicRandall L. Green, 51, 4:09 p.m. July 1, on Monterey Road. DUIRuben Herrera, 41, 9:51 p.m. July 1, at Cochrane Road and Madrone Parkway. Timothy Higgins, 24, 12 a.m. July 2, on Lakeview Drive. Steven Sanoff, 46, 12:52 a.m. July 2, at John Wilson Way and Monterey Road. Martin Mora, 43, 7:15 p.m. July 2, on Monterey Road. Luis D. Villanueva, 25, 1:14 a.m. July 5, on Old Monterey Road. Lewd or lascivious act with child younger than 14Federico Quistian, 25, 12 a.m. July 2, at the Santa Clara County Jail. Petty theftRuben Abonce, 21, 12 a.m. July 2, at South County Courthouse. BurglaryNathan M. Woodward, 18, 4:29 p.m. July 2, at La Mar Court and La Crosse Drive. BatteryDavid A. Ortez, 31, 12:51 p.m. July 3, at Vineyard Town Center Way. Joseph S. Haley, 30, 3:15 a.m. July 4, on Monterey Road. Thomas Hall, 48, 8:29 p.m. July 4, at Carriage and Shadowbrook ways.  Unlawful sexual intercourse with a minorVincente G. Munguia, 23, 11:24 p.m. July 3, on Vineyard Boulevard. 

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