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While recreational cannabis has been legal in California for over a year, the City of Morgan Hill is still testing the waters on whether to jump headfirst into the green gold rush.

Morgan Hill Police gave credit to witnesses and a victim in the community for the recent arrests of four auto burglars, including a pair who said they broke into so many vehicles they lost count, according to authorities.The arrests were made in two different vehicle stops. The first was Feb. 23, when a Morgan Hill Police officer stopped a vehicle near East Dunne Avenue and Hill Road, according to a press release from MHPD.The occupants were two juveniles, age 16 and 17, from the East Bay, according to police. They were both on probation for weapons related charges.Officers conducted a probation search of the vehicle, and found numerous items including a leather Coach briefcase, new men’s watch still in the box, an Apple iPad, designer sunglasses and a GoPro camera, police said.As the officer was completing the search, MHPD dispatchers announced that a resident had just called to report his vehicle had been broken into, and said items matching those found in the juveniles’ car were stolen, according to police.The two juveniles were arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property and possession of burglary tools, police said. They were cited and released to their parents.Police declined to name the suspects because they are juveniles.Police: Two arrested in gas station parking lotThe second incident resulted in the arrest of two suspects who had stolen items from up to 30 victims. The arrests happened about 12:44pm Feb. 25, when an “alert citizen” reported two suspicious men were sitting in a car, smoking something out of a piece of tin foil, according to Morgan Hill police. The car was parked at the Chevron gas station at Cochrane Road and Madrone Parkway.MHPD officers responded and made contact with the two men, who were not parked in front of the adjacent mini-market, police said.The officers immediately noticed narcotics paraphernalia in plain sight inside the car. As more officers arrived and the occupants were removed from the vehicle, police observed a handgun between the passenger’s door and floorboard, according to authorities.Both men were handcuffed and arrested, police said.Police determined the handgun was in fact a BB gun that was “almost impossible to ascertain real from fake,” reads the press release.Officers continued a search of the vehicle and found a “multitude of stolen property and weapons,” authorities said. The stolen items included credit cards, gift cards, license plates, a machete and military discharge papers—none of which belonged to the suspects.Also recovered from the vehicle were smoking pipes, tin foil with narcotics residue and nearly a gram of what police think was heroin, police said. The vehicle contained so much stolen property that police impounded it for evidence.Police think at least 25 to 30 victims will be identified from the recovered stolen items.The suspects were identified as Tyler Del Vecchia, 27, of Morgan Hill, and Justin J. Holderfield, 30, of Morgan Hill, according to police.“Both suspects admitted to burglarizing ‘so many vehicles that they could not even remember all of the locations,’” the press release states.They were booked at Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of possession of stolen property, auto burglary, being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, possession of heroin, possession of an expandable baton and possession of an imitation firearm, police said.“We can’t solve these crimes without you, our Eagle-Eye citizens!” the press release concludes.Anyone who has been a victim of a recent auto burglary or whose unlocked vehicle has been ransacked can call MHPD at (669) 253-4960 or (669) 253-4985.

Four people—including a 6-year-old child and an adult bicyclist—were killed in separate traffic accidents in San Benito and Santa Clara counties in less than a week, according to the California Highway Patrol.Two of the accidents occurred Sunday, Feb. 25 in the Hollister area, and were reported less than an hour apart. One of these resulted in the arrest of an allegedly intoxicated driver on a homicide charge in connection with the death of his 6-year-old son, who was a passenger in his father’s vehicle, according to police.About 5pm Feb. 25, authorities responded to a single-vehicle accident on McCloskey Road, just east of San Felipe Road.The Highway Patrol reported that Jesus Mora, 30 of Hollister, had been driving a GMC Sierra westbound on McCloskey Road with two children in the front seat, when he drifted “completely off the roadway onto the dirt shoulder” of the roadway, according to a press release from the CHP Hollister-Gilroy area office. The driver lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a wooden utility pole.Police said Mora allegedly swerved off the road “due to his level of intoxication.”The collision resulted in fatal injuries to Mora’s 6-year-old passenger, who was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, according to the CHP press release. The other child, a 7-year-old boy, was flown to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center with major injuries.At the scene, Mora referred to the two young boys in the vehicle as his children, according to CHP Officer Chris Miceli.Mora, the driver, suffered minor injuries in the accident and was transported to Hazel Hawkins Hospital in Hollister, according to police.Mora was arrested on suspicion of murder and driving while intoxicated, causing bodily injury. He was booked into the San Benito County Jail, according to police.Motorcyclist pronounced deadLess than an hour earlier on Feb. 25—about 4:10pm—authorities responded to a collision in which an SUV struck a motorcycle, resulting in a motorcyclist’s death, according to CHP.That accident took place at the intersection of SR 156 and San Felipe Road in Hollister.A 43-year-old Gilroy man was driving a 2015 Harley Davidson motorcycle with a 29-year-old female passenger, also of Gilroy, on the back, according to police. The driver of the motorcycle was stopped at a red traffic light in the left turn of SR 156, poised to turn onto northbound San Felipe Road.A 2005 GMC Sierra, driven by a 66-year-old Hollister man, was approaching the intersection on southbound SR 156 at about 50 mph. For an unknown reason, the motorcyclist began making a left turn onto San Felipe Road while the traffic light was still red, police said.After entering the intersection, the motorcyclist began applying the vehicle’s brakes in an effort to avoid colliding with the approaching GMC, according to police. The Gilroy man was unable to avoid a collision with the SUV.As a result, the Harley Davidson driver suffered fatal injuries upon impact, and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. His passenger suffered major injuries and was transported by air ambulance to Natividad Medical Center.Authorities do not think alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision. The accident is under investigation.Single-vehicle death on Pacheco PassAnother single-vehicle accident resulted in the driver’s death Feb. 24 on SR 152 in eastern unincorporated Santa Clara County east of Gilroy, according to the CHP.About 2:10pm, a 49-year-old Monterey woman was driving a 2014 Ford eastbound on SR 152 (Pacheco Pass), with a 49-year-old female passenger in the vehicle, police said.For an unknown reason, the driver turned the vehicle to the right, causing the Ford to leave the roadway, travel across the right shoulder and collide with a tree, police reported. The collision occurred just east of Lake Road.The driver of the vehicle suffered fatal injuries, and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The passenger suffered minor injuries and was flown to San Jose Regional Medical Center.Authorities do not think alcohol or drugs were a factor in the accident, which is under investigation.On Monday, Feb. 26, CHP issued another press release urging motorists to drive with caution in response to the unusual cluster of three traffic fatalities in the area in one weekend. The release advises residents to “drive safely and courteously at all times,” obey traffic laws and slow down because “speed is a factor in most collisions.”Furthermore, officers reminded residents not to drink and drive. In 2016, more 1,800 people were killed in California in accidents in which alcohol was a factor, according to the CHP.“While any loss of life is tragic, a loss of life resulting from something preventable is especially troubling,” the Feb. 26 press release states. “Most traffic collisions are preventable.”Cyclist struck by ToyotaThe recent rash of fatalities began Feb. 19, when a Cupertino bicyclist died after a collision with a Toyota just south of Hollister, according to police.The accident occurred about 5pm. A 2001 Toyota, driven by a 40-year-old San Lorenzo man, was traveling northbound on SR 25 just south of Cienega Road, according to a CHP press release.The 65-year-old cyclist, riding a Trek bicycle, was traveling on SR 25 in the same direction as the Toyota, when the bigger vehicle approached from behind, according to police.The Toyota collided with the bicyclist “due to the unsafe speed of” the Toyota, police said.The collision caused the cyclist to be ejected from his bicycle before hitting the asphalt roadway, according to CHP. The Toyota stayed at the scene, where authorities pronounced the cyclist dead.The driver of the Toyota suffered a minor cut to his finger, according to police. Three passengers in the Toyota were uninjured.It “does not appear” that alcohol or drugs were a factor in this accident, according to police. The accident remains under investigation.Coroner’s officials in San Benito and Santa Clara counties had not yet identified those killed in the accidents, as of noon, Feb. 26.Anyone with information about these accidents can call CHP at (408) 848-2324.

A second suspect surrendered to police in relation to a shooting that took place near Tennant Station in Morgan Hill Feb. 21, according to authorities.About 8pm Feb. 21, Morgan Hill Police were dispatched to the intersection of Tennant Avenue and Church Street, in response to multiple reports that a person had been shot.When officers arrived, they found an 18-year-old man from San Jose suffering from a gunshot wound in his upper leg, police said. The victim was transported to San Jose Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.Witnesses at the scene told police that two subjects were involved in the shooting, according to Morgan Hill Police. Officers located one of the suspects who was still in the area, and ordered him to stop. The suspect—later identified as a 17-year-old male—fled on foot, but police caught up to him and arrested him after a short pursuit.Witnesses also told police that the second suspect was seen running northbound on Church Street before officers arrived.Police were able to identify the outstanding suspect as a 17-year-old male, according to police. MHPD officers were joined by Santa Clara County deputies—plus K9 dogs and a police helicopter—in searching the surrounding neighborhood the evening of Feb. 21. Authorities also searched the suspect’s residence, but were unable to immediately locate him or the weapon used in the shooting.The second suspect later turned himself in at Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall, according to police. He was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.Police are not releasing the names of the suspects because they are juveniles.The police investigation revealed that the two suspects approached the victim at the intersection of Tennant and Church, and a verbal argument “immediately began,” police said. One of the suspects pulled out a black semiautomatic handgun and fired two rounds, one of which struck the victim in the leg.The victim was treated and released from the hospital by the following evening, police said.Anyone with information about this incident can call MHPD at (408) 779-2101.

When a small-town girl, determined to make a new life for herself, comes to the Big Apple, she discovers life is more complicated than she first thought.

Within the next couple of months, residents and visitors can expect to see some of downtown Morgan Hill’s flagship, high-profile construction projects transform into more dining, nightlife, shopping and lodging choices.

A teen who was shot in the area of Tennant Avenue and Church Street Wednesday night is expected to survive, according to police. 

Major injury accidentA black Volkswagen Jetta collided with a bus bench in the area of Hale and Wright avenues, resulting in injuries to a pedestrian who was sitting on the bench. A pregnant woman who was in the back seat of the Volkswagen was also injured. The accident was reported 5:13pm Feb. 18.Auto burglarySomeone broke into a service truck in the parking lot of Holiday Inn & Suites, 17035 Condit Road. The crime was reported 6:30am Feb. 14.A thief or thieves entered an unlocked vehicle on the 1000 block of Creekside Court and stole glasses, cash and an iPod. The burglary was reported 7:54am Feb. 15.VandalismTwo boys age 15 to 16 were seen tagging a bus bench with graffiti at Llagas Road and Hale Avenue. The crime was reported 4:35pm Feb. 14.An unknown person broke a bathroom window at the Jackson Oaks HOA clubhouse and rec center, 3490 Oak Hill Court. The vandalism was reported 11:53am Feb. 15. BurglaryA resident of Easy Street arrived home to find the house broken into. A burglar or burglars stole a laptop computer, gaming equipment and garage door remote controls from the home. The burglary was reported 9:54pm Feb. 14.Stolen vehicleA thief or thieves stole a Toyota pickup with a camper shell from a parking spot on Yosemite Way. The crime was reported 6:39am Feb. 15.A white 2017 Forest River trailer was stolen from Pan Pacific RV Center, 16690 block of Condit Road. The theft was reported 9:21am Feb. 15.Someone stole a metallic gray Honda Accord from a parking spot outside Union Bank, 500 Tennant Station. The crime was reported 10:22am Feb. 17.A thief or thieves stole a blue 1999 Honda Civic from a spot on Del Monte Avenue. The theft was reported 10:04am Feb. 20.Petty theftA thief or thieves stole money, a wallet containing IDs and credit cards, and insurance documents from a location on the 16800 block of DeWitt Avenue. The theft was reported 12:20pm Feb. 18.A man and woman walked out of Wal-mart, 170 Cochrane Plaza, with a stolen electric shaver. The theft was reported 6:59am Feb. 19.A customer of Starbucks, 251 Vineyard Town Center, lost his wallet when he left it on the counter, and thinks it was stolen. The theft was reported 10:56am Feb. 19.Someone tried to leave Safeway, 235 Tennant Station, with $500 worth of groceries. A store employee stopped the theft from occurring. The incident was reported 2:11pm Feb. 19.A man and woman left CVS, 16995 Walnut Grove Drive, with two baskets full of cosmetics. The theft was reported 4:02pm Feb. 19.Someone stole baby formula from Wal-mart, 170 Cochrane Plaza. The crime was reported 12:03am Feb. 20.A bicycle was stolen from outside Safeway, 840 E. Dunne Ave. The crime was reported 10:52am Feb. 20.All subjects are innocent until proven guilty. Information is compiled from public records.

The pilot of a single-engine aircraft whose engine began to fail above San Jose made a “split second” decision to make an emergency landing on the median of US 101 in Morgan Hill Sunday, according to authorities.That decision by Aptos resident Wayne Wright, 62, resulted in a safe landing for the pilot and motorists on the ground.Wright departed from Davis airfield about 10:35am Feb. 18 in a Piper PA46-310P airplane. He was on his way to the Watsonville airport when, at about 11:10am, Wright reported his aircraft lost engine power for an unknown reason, according to a press release from the California Highway Patrol. The plane was at about 6,500 feet altitude and about eight miles north of the San Martin airport when the engine began to fail.Wright, the only occupant of the aircraft, activated his GPS in an effort to locate the nearest airport. He contacted San Jose Air Traffic Control on the radio, and informed them of his situation, according to the CHP. The pilot advised the air authorities that his view of the ground was obstructed by heavy cloud patches.San Jose Air Traffic Control guided Wright to the San Martin airport to make an emergency landing, according to authorities.Wright continued to attempt to restart his engine while contacting air traffic control, but was unsuccessful. His airplane was gliding with no power just below the clouds when he saw US 101 below him, according to the press release. The pilot thought he might not make it to San Martin, and advised authorities that he was going to attempt an emergency landing on the freeway.As he descended the plane, Wright noticed southbound vehicle traffic on US 101 stopping in a cascading effect toward him, according to CHP. That’s when he decided at the last second to land his aircraft in the center median divider on US 101, just south of Tennant Avenue.The plane landed about 11:17am with a wing extended into the left lane of northbound US 101, facing in a southbound direction, according to CHP.No injuries or collisions resulted from the incident, according to authorities. The plane was towed to the San Martin airport, where it will be inspected.The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident, according to FAA spokesman Ian Gregor.Photos of the odd sight of an aircraft in the middle of US 101, and later being towed off the freeway onto Tennant Avenue in south Morgan Hill, spread throughout the internet in the hours after the landing.The registered owner of the aircraft is G&M Leasing LLC, based in Watsonville.

Petty theft