Community

I love my job. During my first year as Sports Editor, I’ve had numerous experiences I never thought I’d have. I’ve went to a San Jose Sharks game—and was 5 feet from Blackhawks superstar Patrick Kane—went behind the scenes at AT&T Park and oh yeah, I went toe-to-toe with a former Garlic Queen during the 36th annual Gilroy Garlic Festival.

Five-year-old Johnathan Spencer has been battling the ups and

Cross-dresser shakedowns, a purple potty prison and bra rentals might seem like unorthodox ways to stand up to a disease that claims the lives of 7.6 million people each year worldwide, but coupled with traditional fundraising methods, these tactics raised approximately $80,277 for cancer research thanks to Gilroy's annual Relay For Life.

Do you think the “Main Street” of Gilroy could do with a lick of paint? Do you like Brad Pitt? Would you like to see something come of those two things? Then paint manufacturer Benjamin Moore & Co. has just the thing for you with the launch of its “Main Street Matters” initiative.

The results are in for Gilroy Garlic Festival’s annual Art Poster Contest and once again a local artist has come out on top. Sheryl Cathers of Gilroy bested the other 28 competitors to take home the cash prize of $750.

Santa Clara County Vector Control District confirmed on Aug. 9 that mosqitos in San Jose tested positive for West Nile Virus, prompting a fogging extermination this week. 

The Central Coast Barnstormers semi-pro football team won its third straight game Saturday with a 48-0 victory over the Golden State Giants at the Galileo Academy of Science and Technology in San Francisco.

GILROY - Heather Stewart and Kaden Bahner have one obvious thing

 

The grand marshal of Monday’s Memorial Day parade in Gilroy is Korean War veteran Robert Diaz, who served two tours of duty with the Marine Corps.“I enjoy the parade and have watched it every year,” said the Gilroy native and commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6309. “It’s a real honor.”Diaz has been a regular at the parade and he’s humble about serving his country.“It was the right thing to do,” he said of his decision to enlist in 1951. He joined his brother and other Gilroy classmates in military service.During the war, Diaz worked as a photographer and lab technician, producing maps that were used by fighter pilots to locate enemy targets.Still reticent to share details of his military service decades later, Diaz said specially modified planes fitted with cameras would leave base in the early morning hours to take pictures of enemy territory. Returning some hours later, Diaz and his team would develop and print the film. The images were then used to create detailed maps of enemy targets.Diaz’s two tours were from 1951-1952 and 1953-1954.He was discharged at Treasure Island and within months, met his wife, Teresa.“I got out in March, met my wife in June and got married in July,” he said.They would go on to be married for 42 years, raising four children together. When he returned from the Marine Corps, Diaz worked in the local canneries.“Everyone worked in the canneries,” he said. Diaz later worked at the FMC plant for 19 years before retiring.Teresa passed away and Diaz lives with his son Gary and grandchildren, Teresa and Garon—a soon-to-be Gilroy High School graduate who has already voiced interest in joining the military.On Monday, his family will join thousands of spectators as they watch Diaz, escorted by the VFW honor guard, lead the solemn Memorial Day procession.“Our family is always there,” Diaz said.