Community

The Blossom Valley Athletic League, West Valley Division boys soccer race is a tight battle among four teams and Gilroy is in the thick of it.  James Lick has a bit of a lead, with the Mustangs, Yerba Buena and Independence just a little behind....

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has intervened in a lawsuit challenging San Benito County’s approval of the Betabel Commercial Development on U.S. 101 south of Hollister, Bonta’s office announced this week. The lawsuit was initially filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Amah Mutsun Tribal...

PG&E is listening and addressing your concerns. In 2025, customers will see more stable electric rates compared to last year. In January, most residential customers saw electricity costs drop by 4% or $11, helping offset gas price increases. This means that if your usage hasn’t...

Christopher HS Boys Basketball (17-2 overall, 7-0 BVAL Mt. Hamilton) Recent results: Won 54-44 vs. Willow Glen; won 64-48 at Leigh Upcoming games: 7pm Feb. 5 at Branham; 7pm Feb. 7 at Santa Teresa NOTES: Cougars remain on top of the league; second-place Westmont visits on Feb....

An 18-year-old passenger died in a vehicle crash on San Justo Road in San Benito County Jan. 29, according to authorities.  About 5:03pm Jan. 29, the driver of a vehicle lost control of the car while traveling east on San Justo Road, east of San...

Last month, I shared that 2025 would be my final year writing this column; after 25 years of Spoking My Mind, I felt it was time to hang up my helmet. (Let me clarify: I’ll stop bike writing, but never stop bike riding.) Thank...

Re: “Trump takes steps to overhaul CA water delivery,” Free Lance, Jan. 24  “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” To get this message, drive over Pacheco Pass anytime.  At the top is that beautiful San Luis Reservoir that used to exist as a vast valley...

The Christopher girls basketball program graduated three starters off a superb team. But with a new coach and many new players in key roles, the Cougars have not missed a beat.  CHS is rolling again behind returning starters Shiloh Vallejos and Kaycee Carrasco and a...

Amid fears and recent reports of federal immigration authorities targeting undocumented immigrants in local communities, law enforcement leaders and public officials throughout the South Valley have attempted to reassure their communities that residents are safe from local action.  Santa Clara County Sheriff Bob Jonsen and...

Barbecued meats on artisanal pies has emerged as a growing subgenre in contemporary pizza culture.  In Gilroy, the High & Mighty Pizza Joint is firing up barbecue pizza specialties like jalapeño tri-tip and a two-meat brisket combo as part of their participation in Silicon...