Community

State Park officials recently unveiled the “Parks Forward” initiative that will assess California's underfunded state parks system and eventually provide ways to make state parks economically viable again.

Hecker Pass is closed between Watsonville Road in Gilroy and Carlton Road in Watsonville until about 2 p.m. today due to a downed power pole, according to the California Highway Patrol traffic incident information page. Snapped power lines and phone lines are blocking east and westbound lanes, according to CHP.

Lured by a $50,000 grand prize bait, 13 brave souls took the plunge Saturday night at Old City Hall and pitched their business ideas in hopes that Gilroy’s “Sharks” would smell the scent of success.

The City of Gilroy is sponsoring a free Project Sentinel Workshop geared at preparing people to become successful first-time homebuyers.

San Jose based-Real Action Paintball Inc. is moving down U.S. 101 and setting up its manufacturing operation at 7700 Arroyo Circle in Gilroy. The company closed the deal on the 40,000-square foot building in mid-May, according to Tammy Brownlow, president of the Gilroy Economic Development Corporation.

In the eight years that the Thomas family have been living on the corner of Eighth and Forest streets, countless barbecues have been canceled and all four family members have been forced to seek refuge from what Sabrina Thomas believes is polluted air.

With live music echoing through the Gilroy City Hall plaza, the Gilroy Farmer's Market kicked off its third year of providing healthy, local products and a family-friendly atmosphere.