Monthly Archives: November 2013
Cold weather homeless shelters open Dec. 2
The Emergency Housing Consortium LifeBuilders, a Milpitas-based nonprofit which provides shelter housing opportunities and supportive services to people in crisis and the Silicon Valley's homeless, has announced the cold weather shelters will open for the season at 6 p.m. Dec. 2.
Sheriff urges Thanksgiving travelers to buckle up “every trip, every time”
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, people will soon flock to the roads to visit and celebrate with family and friends. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office reminds all travelers, whether they are heading across the country or just across town, to ensure a safe arrival and a happy holiday by buckling up every time they travel.“The risk of being involved in a serious or deadly car crash increases when the number of cars on the road increases, and the long Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year,” said Sheriff Laurie Smith. “So we want to remind everyone that your seat belts can save your life – and those you are traveling with.”According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts saved almost 12,000 lives nationwide in 2011. Research shows that with proper seat belt use, the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers is reduced by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent.Such a simple step can save a life, but too many lives are being lost because some have still not gotten the message, according to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office. During the 2011 Thanksgiving period, 249 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes nationwide. Fifty percent of those killed were not wearing seat belts. California witnessed 24 passenger vehicle occupants killed that same yearwith 10 of those found to have died without using their safety restraints.In 2011, 52 percent of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in motor vehicle crashes were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. In California, 27 percent of the 1,597 vehicle occupants were killed while not using their occupant restraints; a total of 434 deaths, according to the press release.Nationally in 2011, 62 percent of the 10,135 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in nighttime crashes were not wearing their seat belts, compared to 43 percent during the daytime hours, according to authorities.“All too often, we see crash victims who were caught up in the excitement of the Thanksgiving holiday and didn’t arrive safely at their destination,” Smith added. “We want to remind everyone who will be on the roads to please buckle up - Every Trip, Every Time - so you can give thanks this holiday season and enjoy the time with your loved ones.”
Gilroyan warns of alleged phone scammers touting computer upgrades
A Gilroy man who has been called at least 15 times by identify theft scammers claiming to be from Microsoft wants to spread the warning and prevent additional people from being victimized.
Soldier’s family grateful for a holiday homecoming
Gilroyans Mia and Chris Eaton have spent the holidays over the past year thinking about their son, a U.S. Army sniper, who at any given point could have been laying prone in hostile territory in Afghanistan.
Thanksgiving reminder: Waste not, want not
Leading up to Thanksgiving, reminders are everywhere to give to those in need. As we strive to make sure everyone gets a figurative and literal piece of the pie, it is striking to recognize that there are ways we can increase the size of the pie as well. According to a study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an estimated 30-40% of our food is wasted, equivalent to $166 billion each year. Imagine how many more meals there would be to go around if it weren’t for this waste. And think of the reduction in your grocery bill!
Prep Basketball: Gilroy boys, Christopher girls look for success with fresh faced squads
GILROY — For Gilroy and Christopher, this season will be all about adjustments.
Eugene (Gene) Elmer Loveless April 11, 1948 – November 25, 2013
Services will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2013, at the Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home 870 San Benito St., Hollister at 10:00 A.M., with military honors provided by Hollister Post 9242, V.F.W. followed by a celebration of his life at the family ranch in Paicines. Donatons can be made to NRA or Cancer Society. Visit:www.grunnagle.com for condolences.
Dixie Maxine Del Biaggio December 8, 1918 – November 19, 2013
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the American Heart Association. A Celebration of our mother’s life will be held at St. Mary’s Church, Gilroy on December 14 2013, at noon.
Police blotter: DUI
The Gilroy Police Department responded to a variety of crimes this week including driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance and theft. Arrests were recorded in this week's GPD blotter from Nov. 19 through 21.
School Board roundup: suspensions, surplus properties, substitute teacher pay
Students may not be “ready for college” according to some standardized test results, but that was one of many topics discussed at last week’s regular Gilroy Unified School District Board of Education meeting. Suspensions are at an all-time low this year. The board also voted to change the pay scale for substitute teachers and to ask the state to waive sections of the education code so that the district can sell, lease or exchange two surplus properties.
