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With marijuana legal for recreational use in California as of Jan. 1, Morgan Hill police are expecting to see more of the controlled substance on local streets in the coming months. That’s despite the fact that the commercial sale, cultivation, manufacturing and transport of cannabis products remain prohibited in the city limits, at least until after the city council discusses their options at an upcoming meeting.The voter-approved state law, known as Proposition 64, allows adults age 21 and older to legally possess up to one ounce of marijuana, with or without a state-approved medical ID card, according to Morgan Hill Police Sgt. Troy Hoefling.However, local marijuana users should know that it remains illegal to smoke pot anywhere in public or on school grounds. Driving under the influence of marijuana is still prohibited statewide, Hoefling said.“You cannot use or consume marijuana in a car. You can’t have an open container of marijuana in a car,” Hoefling added.According to ballotpedia.org, Prop 64 permits marijuana smoking in private homes or in businesses licensed for on-site consumption. Prop 64 also allows each adult to grow up to six marijuana plants on private property, as long as the cultivation area is locked and not visible from public view.Cities, counties and other local jurisdictions may not regulate or limit the six-plant growth allowance under the new state law. However, the new law allows local governments—as well as the state itself—to license, regulate and tax marijuana sales. It also allows locals to license large-scale commercial cultivation operations.Under previous laws that permit the medical use, sale and growth of marijuana—and in a state regulatory environment that is generally more lenient that many other states—the City of Morgan Hill has traditionally taken the more restrictive path in comparison with some cities in the region.Currently, Morgan Hill prohibits the sale, cultivation and transport of marijuana for recreational, medical or other uses—a prohibition that is allowed by follow-up legislation approved by the state after Prop 64 passed. In July 2017, the council updated this ordinance to remove references to “medical marijuana” in response to the approval of Prop 64, and clarifies that existing local restrictions apply to both medical and recreational cannabis sales, cultivation and distribution.The council will revisit the issue and discuss their options at the Jan. 17 meeting, according to City Manager Christina Turner. This discussion will include information on what ordinances or policies other nearby cities are enacting in response to Prop 64. The staff report on that agenda item will be available on the city’s website, morganhill.ca.gov, Jan. 12.Some California cities, enticed by the promise of a flood of sales tax revenues from recreational marijuana—an industry expected to generate more than $7 billion statewide by 2020—have embraced their new ability to allow retail sales. In San Jose, which approved a licensing program for retail marijuana sales late last year, customers reportedly formed long lines outside licensed dispensaries on Jan. 1, the first day recreational sales became legal in California.The original ballot summary for Prop 64—which was approved by 57 percent of the state’s voters Nov. 8, 2016—cites “additional tax revenues ranging from high hundreds of millions of dollars to over $1 billion annually, mostly dedicated to specific purposes” resulting from the law’s passage.This economic development impact is likely one aspect of the marijuana trade that Morgan Hill officials will discuss Jan. 17. The discussion will be a follow-up to previous workshops on the change in marijuana laws that the council conducted throughout 2017. These previous discussions included public comments from marijuana opponents who fear the new law will result in more drug use and danger on the roads, and from supporters who rely on cannabis for chronic medical conditions for which they have to drive to other, more pot-friendly cities to seek treatment.The City of Morgan Hill could generate between $675,000 and $1.6 million in annual revenue if the council decides to implement a licensing and taxation program for marijuana industry businesses, according to a presentation by HdL Companies at a Sept. 27 council workshop.Other concerns and challenges related to Prop 64 that cities like Morgan Hill might face under the new law include the proximity of marijuana activities to local youth, impaired driving, continued black market sales, limited police authority to search and seize property and the growth of other crimes inspired by the cannabis trade, according to HdL’s Sept. 27 presentation in Morgan Hill.Prop 64 imposes a state excise tax of 15 percent on licensed retail sales of marijuana, as well as state cultivation taxes of $9.25 per ounce of cannabis flowers and $2.75 per ounce of leaves, according to ballotpedia.org. The law also establishes packaging, labeling, advertising and marketing standards for marijuana products; prohibits advertising marijuana to minors; and authorizes the resentencing and destruction of record for prior marijuana convictions.In Santa Clara County, 58 percent of voters voted “yes” to Prop 64, according to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters. In Morgan Hill, 57 percent of voters said “yes” to the recreational marijuana law.

Police arrested a Morgan Hill man on New Year’s Eve who is suspected of burglarizing several vehicles and mailboxes at an apartment complex in Mountain View.About 3:35am Dec. 31, Mountain View Police responded to the 100 block of East Middlefield Road in Mountain View, after a resident called to report she had seen someone trying to break into a vehicle, according to a press release from MVPD. As officers were on their way to the scene, police received another call from a different resident reporting that another vehicle had been broken into.Officers searched the area, and located a subject who matched the description of the car break-in suspect, according to police. Officers contacted the man, later identified as Tonato Mills, 30, of Morgan Hill, at Tyrella and Flynn avenues. Mills failed to give officers a satisfactory explanation why he was in the area.During the investigation, one of MVPD’s K9 dogs connected a Honda sedan, parked at the rear gate of the East Middlegate Road complex, had recently been used by Mills, according to authorities. Police searched the vehicle, and found a bag full of burglary tools, mail from nearby residents, a pipe used to smoke drugs and methamphetamine.In the preceding days, MVPD had received numerous reports of mailbox and vehicle break-ins at the same complex, according to police. At least one resident also reported their car had been vandalized the night of Dec. 31, though it did not appear anything had been stolen from the vehicle.Police arrested Mills on suspicion of burglary, prowling, possession of burglary tools, possession of stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and violation of parole, according to MVPD. He was booked at Santa Clara County Jail.On Jan. 1, police conducted a follow-up search at Mills’ home in Morgan Hill, the MVPD press release states. Found at the home were gun ammunition—which a convicted felon is not allowed to possess—as well as allegedly stolen mail, and other stolen property from another city.

Auto burglarySomeone smashed the window of a Honda CRV on Monterey Road and stole a laptop computer. The crime was reported 3:14pm Dec. 20.A thief or thieves broke into a Ford F550 by smashing the rear side window. A saw worth about $1,000 was stolen from the vehicle. The burglary was reported 7:13am Dec. 28.Someone broke into a Toyota Prius parked on Condit Road. The break-in was reported 9:02am Dec. 25. BurglaryA burglar or burglars broke into a home on Seville Drive and opened all the family Christmas presents. The break-in was noticed by a handyman who was scheduled to perform work at the home. The worker arrived at the home and noticed the front door had been kicked in. The resident did not immediately know what was stolen from the home. The crime was reported 5:33pm Dec. 20.Petty theftSomeone stole a rear license plate from a vehicle parked on Barnell Avenue. The theft was reported 7:18pm Dec. 20.A woman left Hobby Lobby, 990 Cochrane Road, with a black bag containing merchandise she stole from the store. The crime was reported 2:07pm Dec. 22.A man and woman on bicycles stole a package from outside a home on Calle Hermosa, but the victims chased the suspects down and retrieved their property. The incident was reported 2:35pm Dec. 27.Someone stole a license plate from the front of a Ford Fusion parked on Burnett Avenue. The theft was reported 8:43am Dec. 25.Stolen vehicleA Morgan Hill resident left his vehicle at a mechanic shop in San Jose for repairs, and the vehicle was later stolen from outside the shop. The crime was reported 7:18pm Dec. 20.A thief or thieves stole a Toyota from outside a store on East Dunne Avenue while the vehicle owner went inside to make a purchase. The victim told police he left the vehicle running with the keys in the ignition while he was inside the store. The theft was reported 5:08am Dec. 22.Someone stole a multi-colored Ford F350 box van from Butterfield Self Storage, 955 Jarvis Drive. The van was decorated with the business’ name on the outside. The crime was reported 2:49pm Dec. 22.A black Ford Mustang, stolen out of San Mateo County, was abandoned in front of a residential driveway on East Edmundson Avenue. The stolen vehicle was recovered 12:45pm Dec. 23. Grand theftA thief or thieves stole about $2,500 worth of tools from the toolbox on the back of a Mazda pickup. The vehicle was parked on La Alameda Drive when the theft occurred. The crime was reported 12:49pm Dec. 23.TheftSomeone stole a wallet from a victim’s purse inside a store on Cochrane Road. The crime was reported 5:44pm Dec. 21.DisturbanceA subject who was soliciting about politics outside Nob Hill Foods, 451 Vineyard Town Center, caused a disturbance with a customer. Police were called to stand by until the argumentative solicitor left the area. The disturbance was reported 6:15pm Dec. 21. Found propertySomeone found a Samsung Galaxy 4G cell phone on Carriage Drive. The phone was reported found at 2:17pm Dec. 26.FraudA local resident lost his wallet, and later found unauthorized charges on his credit card account, including a $28 purchase from Amazon.com. The fraud was reported 3:45pm Dec. 24.All subjects are innocent until proven guilty. Information is compiled from public records.

In front of a raucous crowd that made this Dec. 21 non-league game feel more like a state championship title contest, the Live Oak girls basketball team produced a 42-37 comeback win over Sobrato in a game that lived up to its billing and then some. It’s game that neither of the Morgan Hill schools will forget, for different reasons.

On Dec. 30 at 4:26pm, officers from the Gilroy Police Department responded to a report of an armed robbery at Pizza Hut, on the 1100 block of First Street in Gilroy. As an employee was putting money into the business safe, a man entered the business and brandished a handgun. The suspect demanded money and the employee immediately ran to the back of the business out of fear, according to police. The suspect fled the business without the money or any property.Later that evening, a Gilroy Police officer contacted a subject matching a description of the alleged Pizza Hut robber inside a blue 2007 Volkswagen Jetta, parked near the Garlic City Club Casino on the 8600 block of San Ysidro Avenue, police said. A high-risk stop was initiated. The subject, later identified as Izaak Diaz, 24, of Gilroy, failed to comply with commands and he fled in his vehicle.Diaz led police on a high-speed pursuit through parts of Gilroy and into Hollister, according to authorities. He continued the pursuit back to U.S. 101 through Gilroy. Spike strips were successfully deployed, deflating all four tires. Diaz continued on the flattened tires until an officer brought the vehicle to a stop using a Pursuit Intervention Technique with his patrol car, on U.S. 101 near the San Martin exit. Diaz was taken into custody with the assistance of a Morgan Hill Police Department K9.Diaz was medically cleared at a local area hospital and transported to the Santa Clara County Jail, police said. Diaz was booked for attempted robbery and felony evading.This is one of several armed robberies that took place in the last week in Gilroy. The following is a summary of some recent cases, according to authorities:• On Dec. 24 at 6:52pm, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Best Western Park Inn hotel, on the 300 block of Leavesley Road. A man armed with a handgun entered the business and demanded money from the desk clerk. The suspect fled the business with an undisclosed amount of money.This suspect was described as a white male adult, approximately 20 years old, six feet tall and medium build and green eyes, police said. The suspect wore a black hooded jacket, green baseball cap.• On Dec. 26 at 9:35pm, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Wienerschnitzel, on the 700 block of First Street. A man entered the business and demanded money from the cashier, while displaying a handgun. The suspect fled the business with an undisclosed amount of money.The suspect was described as a light-skin Hispanic male, 5 feet, 9 inches tall and 150-160 pounds, with red facial hair. The suspect wore a grey jacket, blue jeans, grey beanie cap and tan colored boots, according to police.• On Dec. 28, at 9:13pm, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Little Caesars Pizza, located on the 1300 block of First Street. A man entered the business and demanded money from the cashier, while displaying a handgun. The suspect fled the business with an undisclosed amount of money.The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, 5 feet, 4 inches tall and a thin build. The suspect wore a teal hooded sweater, blue jeans, grey beanie cap and white shoes.Gilroy Police Detectives are investigating these cases. Anyone with information can call the Gilroy Police Department at (408) 846-0350. Information can be left anonymously.

The California Highway Patrol will conduct a sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint the evening of Saturday, Dec. 30, at an undisclosed location in south Santa Clara County.Drivers passing through the checkpoint will be checked for impairment and valid driving credentials, and those suspected of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be arrested, according to a press release from the Hollister-Gilroy office of the CHP.CHP officers who are trained at identifying drug and alcohol impaired drivers will staff the sobriety checkpoint. A CHP Drug Recognition expert, certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will also be on site to provide assessments of any drivers suspected of drug use.Officers at the checkpoint will use preliminary alcohol screening devices to analyze breath samples, the press release states.The sobriety checkpoint is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the NHTSA, according to the press release.The exact time and location of the upcoming DUI checkpoint will be disclosed after 4pm Dec. 30, according to authorities.

For a small town (at least for now), Morgan Hill has a way of making headlines each year, and 2017 was filled with noteworthy acts of nature, community activism, progress and, on occasion, controversy.

It’s not championship or bust for the Sobrato High girls soccer team this season. Let that sink in for a moment because the Bulldogs won’t be defined by a win at all costs mentality. Are expectations high coming off the program’s first-ever Central Coast Section playoff championship game appearance?

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Gary Harmon—a former Sobrato High School teacher and producer now accused of embezzling money from four local victims—is scheduled to appear at the Morgan Hill Courthouse Dec. 21 for a plea hearing, according to authorities.Harmon faces two counts of grand theft and three counts of communications containing untrue statements and omissions of fact, in relation to the embezzlement of more than $500,000 from the victims, according to court documents. The former Morgan Hill resident was arrested in Las Vegas March 23, on a warrant filed by MHPD officers who investigated the claims.And last week, Santa Clara County Civil Court Judge Carrie Zepeda completed a civil defamation trial related to a complaint that Harmon filed against one of his victims and former business partner, Mike DiRubio, of Morgan Hill.The judge in that case will issue a written ruling within 60 days, according to Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Erica Engin, who is prosecuting Harmon’s criminal case.Harmon filed the civil complaint alleging defamation against DiRubio in July 2015. DiRubio said Harmon filed the lawsuit against him to “get back at me for calling the police” to accuse Harmon of embezzling his money. DiRubio denied defaming Harmon.“All I ever did was tell the truth,” DiRubio said.Harmon declined to comment on the facts of the case because “the court has asked us not to discuss the matter until it concludes,” he said in a text.Morgan Hill Police reports contained in the criminal case’s court file list at least four victims who Harmon allegedly convinced to invest in his production companies or projects, with promises of repayment and profits that were never realized. The reports claim Harmon exaggerated or fabricated relationships with beloved celebrities—including country music legend Willie Nelson, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and former Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil—to fraudulently sell hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of investments to the marks, according to police.Harmon was producing shows in Morgan Hill as the director of ARTTEC at the time some of the embezzlement allegedly happened. DiRubio was vice president of ARTTEC and a partner in the organization.  DiRubio claims that in 2013, Harmon embezzled more than $250,000 from him by reneging on a promise of a share in another production company Harmon was tied to—ISE Entertainment—plus recurring income, in return for the investment. Harmon only returned about $71,000 to DiRubio, according to the police investigation.In 2014, ARTTEC brought big-name acts such as Kiefer Sutherland, Queensryche and Survivor to perform in Morgan Hill.In the criminal case, Harmon also faces a white collar crime enhancement based on the allegation that he used “fraud and embezzlement” to steal more than $500,000 from the victims, according to the criminal complaint filed by DA’s Office.In recent years, Harmon has filed a number of civil lawsuits against other parties who have accused him of fraud.