Man seriously injured in motorcycle crash
Morgan Hill – A San Jose man was airlifted with major injuries to a local trauma center Wednesday afternoon, after crashing his motorcycle in what the California Highway Patrol says was an alcohol-related incident.
G. Pritchett, 44, was driving his 1998 Yamaha north on Uvas Road, north of Oak Glen, after leaving a nearby bar about 5:20pm, according to the CHP. On a curve in the road, Pritchett’s motorcycle veered onto the dirt shoulder and struck a ditch, where it overturned.
Pritchett was ejected, and he and the motorcycle rolled before coming to rest on the east side of the road.
Crews with the California Department of Forestry were the first on scene, and treated Pritchett until a CALSTAR helicopter arrived to transport him to Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto.
Pritchett’s injuries included a collapsed lung, ruptured spleen, compound fracture of his left arm, and other injuries, the CHP said. He underwent surgery Wednesday night.
The CHP believes alcohol was the primary cause of the collision and is continuing its investigation. A complaint is being forwarded to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office for review, and drunken driving charges may be filed.
Anyone who witnessed the crash may contact Officer Dugger at the Hollister-Gilroy CHP office at 848-2324.
Annual Gilroy Senior Center BBQ canceled
Gilroy – The annual Gilroy Senior Center barbecue scheduled for noon Sunday, July 24, at Christmas Hill Park has been postponed.
The barbecue, sponsored by the Gilroy Rotary Club, will be rescheduled for a later date.
Details: 846-0465.
Carr named to Art Council of Silicon Valley board
Gilroy – Kirsten Carr, the executive director of the Gilroy’s Visitors Bureau, has been named vice president of advocacy and planning for Arts Council Silicon Valley.
Carr, who has been a member of the council for 18 months, will be responsible for wrangling arts funding out of the county board of supervisors and state legislators.
“This is a very exciting opportunity and brings forth opportunities to bring expanded funding to the South County arts scene,” Carr said.
Petitions circulating for June ’06 ballot
Gilroy – The next election is still four months away, but petitions to place initiatives on the June 2006 ballot are already in circulation.
Sure to be the most controversial is a measure sponsored by Assemblyman Roy Haynes, R-Temecula, that would amend the state’s constitution to “declare that illegal immigration poses imminent danger.”
The measure would establish a new force to patrol the border and allow arrests without warrants.
Also primed to be on the June 2006 ballots are two measures that would make it harder for state and local governments to raise certain types of taxes.
Enjoy cool summertime tunes Sunday
Gilroy – The latest Summer Concert is on its way. Enjoy musical tunes for the whole family at the Christmas Hill Park Amphitheater every other Sunday from 5 to 7pm.
Upcoming concerts include the bluegrass sounds of Sidesaddle Sunday, the rockabilly tunes of Los High Tops Aug. 15, and the ’50s and ’60s sounds of The Corvairs Aug. 28.
Auditions this weekend for teen performers
Gilroy – South Valley Civic Theatre will be holding auditions for teen performers for their production of ‘Count Dracula,’ a drama based on Bram Stoker’s 19th century novel, ‘Dracula.’
The show is produced by Richard and Becky Kaiser and directed by JoAnna Evans.
They are looking for seven young men and two young women between the age of 13 and 19.
Participants should prepare a short monologue of one to three minutes in length. Bring a resume and a photograph.
Auditions will be held Saturday at 9am and 12:30pm, and Sunday at 9:30am at the SVCT warehouse, 8565 Monterey Road.
Details: JoAnna Evans at 683-2625.
Bird-seeking adventure along Coyote Creek
Gilroy – Bird Walk along the Coyote Creek Trail Aug. 6 from 9 to 11:30am. Join a park ranger on a bird-seeking adventure along Coyote Creek.
Bring binoculars and bird guide books if you have them.
Details: 779-3634.
Enjoy an evening under the stars
Almaden – The Sky is Falling at Calero County Park Aug. 11 from 8:30 to 11:30pm. Come spend an evening under the shooting stars with a park ranger and learn about Perseus (great hero of mythology), after whom this meteor shower is named..
Bring a blanket or chair and a flashlight with red lens.
Details: 268-3883.
Send news items to City Editor Robert Airoldi. FAX to 842-2206, mail to Gilroy Dispatch, 6400 Monterey Road, Gilroy, CA 95020, or e-mail [email protected].
