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Anyone caught igniting illegal fireworks in Morgan Hill next week could be on the hook for up to a $1,500 ticket—or triple the fine amount normally levied for such violations.The Morgan Hill Police Department issued a press release June 27 announcing that fines for illegal fireworks will be tripled from July 1-7. During this time, a first violation could cost the offender a $300 fine, a second offense could cost $600 and the third violation could cost $1,500.The city’s press release notes that illegal fireworks can result in brush fires, burned homes, missing pets and injuries that require Emergency Room treatment.“Our hills are dry and every illegal firework poses a threat to our community,” reads the press release from MHPD. “Think of your family, friends, neighbors and pets.”The City of Morgan Hill is partnering with Independence Day Celebrations to produce a free fireworks show at the Outdoor Sports Complex, 6 to 10pm July 4.All fireworks purchased outside Morgan Hill—including “safe and sane” fireworks found in nearby communities—are illegal here and will result in tripled fines, police noted.The triple fine schedule will also be in place Dec. 30 to Jan. 2 in Morgan Hill.

When it comes to garbage, recyclables or yard waste, once the bins hit the curb, that’s it. Goodbye to bad rubbish.

Having just breezed unopposed into his third and final four-year term, District 1 Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman believes he’s just now hit his public-service stride.Los Gatos resident Wasserman, 60, represents the communities of San Jose, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors.“I’m driven and compassionate,” said Wasserman, who, like other supervisors, is limited to three terms. “I have a head for numbers and a heart for the people.”Wasserman began his journey into public service as a teenager when he volunteered at Agnews State Hospital. After he earned a degree in psychology from University of Southern California, he married his college sweetheart, Kim, and dedicated his energy to his family.“You don’t have a lot of time for other things,” said Wasserman, who became a certified financial planner and ran a small business over the next few years.That’s not to say that he was laying around the couch in his spare time. Before holding public office, Wasserman spent more than 10 years volunteering as a sports coach for 300 kids on 25 youth teams. In recognition of all his community involvement, he was voted “Best Sports Coach,” Best Volunteer” and “Best Civic Minded Citizen.”Around the time that his kids had grown and left the nest, Wasserman used the Kiwanis Club to expand his personal network.He was first elected to the Los Gatos Town Council in 2002 and served until 2010, part of that time as mayor. While on the council, Wasserman championed the Youth Sports Park, helped bring the Los Gatos Library up to strict environmental standards and aggressively maintained a balanced budget.Running for supervisor in his district in 2010 seemed like a natural sequence of events, and Wasserman was able to throw all of his energy into building countywide relationships.“We have a great relationship built over many years of working on tough issues together,” said Gilroy Mayor Roland Velasco, who met Wasserman eight years ago. “He is more than just generous with his time; Mike is generous with his heart.”Velasco served on Wasserman’s staff until this spring.Wasserman said he plans to continue working on reducing Gilroy’s homeless population when his final term begins this January.“It’s the right thing to do,” said Wasserman, adding that funding comes from Measure A, which generates $950 million from bond sales. “Not only is it the right thing, it directly saves the taxpayers money.”Wasserman also directed county funding to the Morgan Hill Playground Project to build the first all-inclusive playground that’s universally accessible in Morgan Hill. Once complete, the playground will allow children and adults of all physical and emotional abilities to play together.The supervisor’s work is greatly appreciated.“Mike is very responsive and communicates well,” said Morgan Hill Mayor Steve Tate. “His varied interests and ever-present enthusiasm make him a delight to work with.”Wassermann finds peace by teaching his French bulldogs Cocoa, Max and Peaches agility training.“This teaches me patience,” he said. “You work and prepare, then something unforeseen happens and you have to adjust. It’s a great distraction.” By David Leland 

Temperatures nearing the triple digits on Friday and Saturday, June 22 and 23, prompted many residents to cool down at Downtown Splash, an outdoor spray pad at the Community and Cultural Center.The free feature, located at 17000 Monterey Road, offers the public a fun reprieve from the heat.Maureen Tobin, the city’s communications and engagement manager, said the city is thrilled to have the water feature, which reopened last year, up and running again.“We are just delighted to be able to have that for the community,” Tobin said. “It’s really the only free water feature available to the community, and it attracts a lot of families and children to the area to have a picnic lunch there. And it serves parts of our community that might not be able to afford to go to the aquatic center.”Downtown Splash runs daily through Aug. 19 at Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road. Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday, noon-4pm, Fridays, 10am-2pm, and Saturdays and Sundays, noon-4pm. The splash pad stays open weekends through Sept. 23, noon-4pm. For more information, visit morgan-hill.ca.gov.

Kevin Cole, a drama production technician who has worked with youth performers in Morgan Hill for several years, was convicted earlier this month of annoying or molesting a child in relation to an incident during a December 2017 dance recital at Sobrato High School.

Morgan Hill Police are investigating a shooting outside an apartment complex that occurred the evening of June 19.About 9:15pm, three people were working on a vehicle parked in the northeast corner of the rear parking lot of the complex at the corner of Spring and Barnell avenues. At least one other person walked between two buildings in the complex, and fired a number of rounds from a handgun at the vehicle, according to Morgan Hill Police Sgt. Troy Hoefling.The vehicle was struck by the gunfire several times, but no injuries occurred, police said. The shooter fled the area immediately after firing the rounds, likely still on foot. Hoefling said officers do not know if the shooting was gang-related.Spent shell casings were recovered at the scene, according to police reports.No suspects have been arrested in relation to the shooting, which remains under investigation.Anyone with information about this incident can call MHPD at (408) 779-2101.

In the world of public transportation, the first and the last miles are the hardest to overcome. Hopping on the bus or train to get to San Jose isn’t the hard part. Getting to public transportation, parking, and then getting from the bus or train to work can be a hassle. By way of Estonia comes Stigo, a lightweight, foldable, electric bike/scooter offering a solution to the problem for commuters here in Morgan Hill.

The San Francisco 49ers will join the Santa Clara County Library District, which includes Gilroy and Morgan Hill libraries, for this year’s Summer Reading program, which started June 1 and runs through July 31.

Gilroy and Morgan Hill libraries, as well as San Martin/Gwinn Elementary School, will be designated sites for free summer meals as part of a partnership with several nonprofit organizations.

Petty theftA man and woman walked out of Safeway, 235 Tennant Station, carrying bottles of alcohol concealed under their clothing. The crime was reported 5:31pm June 4.Someone stole outdoor garden lights from a residential yard on San Dimas Lane. The victim told police it was the second time such items had been stolen during the night. The crime was reported 10:30am June 1.A suspect stole several iPhone chargers from Safeway, 840 E. Dunne Ave. The crime was reported 11:12pm June 12.The rear license plate was stolen off a black Ford Focus parked on Condit Road. The theft was reported 1:35pm June 7.Someone stole a carton of cigarettes from Walgreens, 745 E. Dunne Ave. The crime was reported 8:57am June 10.A suspect stole a backpack containing a wallet, cellphone and car keys from the locker room of 24 Hour Fitness, 850 Tennant Station Way. The crime was reported 6:11pm June 11.FraudSomeone stole two checks from a victim, wrote them out for a combined $720 and deposited them into an account that did not belong to the victim. The crime was reported 5:33pm June 7.Stolen vehicleA thief or thieves stole a 2005 GMC utility truck from the parking lot of Microtel Inn and Suites, 16245 Condit Road. The theft was reported 4:53am June 5.Someone stole a 2001 Honda Accord from a spot on Condit Road. The theft was reported 8:41am June 5.The owner of a gray Nissan Sentra called police to report his 16-year-old son stole the vehicle from the 16000 block of Caputo Drive. The theft was reported 6:03am June 11.A black 1996 Honda Civic was stolen from the parking lot of Target, 1061 Cochrane Road. The theft was reported 4:12pm June 7.A thief or thieves stole a silver Dodge 3500 from the Caltrain station, 17300 Depot St. The theft was reported 2:23am June 8.A white Nissan Altima was stolen from outside Sun Valley Market, 16725 Monterey Road. The theft was reported 7:32pm June 1.Defraud innkeeperA man and woman left Red Robin, 1045 Cochrane Road, without paying for their meal. The crime was reported 10:10pm June 5.A customer of a hotel on Condit Road left the room without paying an $8,000 tab. The incident was reported 9am June 11.DUIPolice arrested a 24-year-old woman on suspicion of DUI after she collided with several parked cars in the area of East Main Avenue and Montoya Circle. The incident was reported 1:16am June 6.Grand theftA thief or thieves stole welding machines worth about $7,000 from the back of a Chevrolet Silverado pickup parked at La Quinta Inn, 17043 Condit Road. The crime was reported 6:16am June 6.Reckless vehicleA dark blue Chevrolet Camaro was seen spinning donuts and speeding in the student parking lot of Live Oak High School, 1505 E. Main Ave. The recklessness was reported 1:22pm June 6.BurglaryA homeowner on Murphy Springs Drive told police the residence was burglarized about two or three months ago. Stolen were tools, wine and camera equipment. The victim didn’t report the burglary immediately after it happened because he didn’t think any of the items would be recovered. The victim was recently contacted by Mountain View police, who reported officers recovered some items that matched the possessions stolen from the home. The burglary was reported 4:08pm June 12.Hit and runThe female driver of a silver Mercedes was arrested after her vehicle collided with a Ford in the area of Cochrane Road and Mission View Drive, and then left the scene. The driver of the Ford called police after the collision and gave a description of the vehicle. Officers later located the Mercedes and arrested the driver. The crime was reported 10:29am June 13.VandalismSomeone used a BB gun or slingshot to project a ball bearing through the window of a vehicle on Condit Road. The crime was reported 11:46am June 7.All subjects are innocent until proven guilty. Information is compiled from public records.