The public is invited to join local astronomers Saturday at
Pacheco State Park Saturday, for an evening of star gazing.
Celebrate stars at Pacheco Park
Los Banos – The public is invited to join local astronomers Saturday at Pacheco State Park Saturday, for an evening of star gazing. Astronomy volunteers will have numerous telescopes available to view the stars, planets, moon, nebula, etc. Viewing will begin shortly before sunset (about 7:30pm) and last until 10pm. Visitors can come any time that evening.
Pacheco State Park is at the top of historic Pacheco Pass. Take the Dinosaur Point exit off of Highway 152, 18 miles west of Los Banos and 22 miles east of Gilroy, and follow the sign. (After exiting south from Highway 152, turn right, going into the park entrance gate.)Visitors are encouraged to bring warm clothing as it may be chilly. Also, bring any food or drinks you may need, as no services are available at Pacheco State Park. The only fee is the $5 state park day use fee per car. If there is any chance it won’t be clear, by noon on Saturday there will be a message on the park answering machine stating if the Star Party is “on” or “canceled due to clouds.” Please call (209) 826-6283 after noon Saturday.
Details: Jennifer Morgan at (209) 826-1196 ext. 222 or Ranger Poole at (209) 826-6283 or write jm***@******ca.gov.
Fifty people involved in park gang fight
Gilroy – Police responded to a call of a 50-person gang fight in Christmas Hill Park Monday afternoon about 3:40pm. When police arrived, they found roughly 20 vehicles leaving the park. One vehicle was stopped at 7050 Miller Ave., and Martin Anthony Gomez Jr., 21, was arrested on charges of possessing a deadly weapon and resisting arrest. Gomez was carrying a two-foot long metal pipe, police said. No injuries were reported as a result of the fight.
Woman claims fire, ends up arrested
Gilroy – Firefighters were dispatched to a Juniper Drive apartment complex Sunday afternoon just after 12:30pm when a woman claimed the building was on fire, and that several people were inside. Fire crews arrived to find no fire, but a 27-year-old resident, Crystal Renee Roybal, who was under the influence of narcotics, accompanied by her children. Roybal phoned 911 and punched through an apartment window, saying she wanted to save the people inside. Police arrested Roybal on charges of possession of a controlled substance, being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and child endangerment. Roybal was transported via ambulance to get medical attention for her hand, said Gilroy Police Sgt. Jim Gillio.
Plan spotlights habitat management
San Jose – County supervisors approved a plan to keep Coyote Creek Parkway beautiful while meeting the increasing demands of bicyclists, rollerbladers, horseback riders and hikers.
The Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan and Master Plan outlines how the parkway can be managed, where recreational facilities can be built and how habitat resources can be enhanced during the next 20 years.
The 150-page master plan includes several projects expected to cost between $36 million and $46 million and be finished in 20 years.
The board of supervisors has already approved $2.3 million to build a new visitor center at Anderson Lake County Park – at the southern end of the parkway – and repave the bike path between Silicon Valley Boulevard and Metcalf Road.
The parkway is located between San Jose and Morgan Hill and contains 15 miles of scenic stretches along Coyote Creek. The north portion of the parkway features a paved multi-use trail. An equestrian trail parallels the paved trail south of Metcalf Road.
The plan took three years to create and included feedback from a series of public meetings between September 2004 and December 2006.
Police promoted to sergeant, corporal
Gilroy – Police Chief Gregg Giusiana announced two promotions. Officer Joe Deras, was promoted to Sergeant, and will become watch commander after a one-week training. Deras has 16 years of experience at four different police agencies. Prior to his promotion, he worked on patrol as one of the department’s K-9 officers. He has also worked as field training officer, public information officer, TASER instructor and on the department’s Anti-Crime Team. Officer Justin Matsuhara was promoted to Corporal, effective Friday, March 16. Matsuhara began his law enforcement career with the Gilroy Police Department six years ago, and has worked as defensive tactics instructor, acting corporal, on the Major Accident Investigation Team and currently works on the Anti-Crime Team.
MACSA celebrates Cesar Chávez
Gilroy – The Mexican American Community Services Agency will host a breakfast March 29 at 7:30am to celebrate the life and legacy of labor leader and civil rights activist Cesar Chávez. The event will be held at the IFDES Lodge, part of the Gilroy Portuguese Hall, 250 Old Gilroy St. Tickets are $30 and support the MACSA El Portal Leadership Academy, a preparatory charter school accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Students graduating from the school can go on to junior colleges, colleges and universities.
Details: Maria Garcia at 928-1122, ext. 1134, or ga******@***sa.org. Information is also available online at www.macsa.org.
Woman found
Gilroy – Nicole Baxley has been found, according to Gilroy Police Cpl. Rosa Quiñones. Baxley, 19, went missing last Thursday, and was spotted twice in Gilroy before returning to her family.
