State reps push for farmworker tax credits, more overtime
State Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, and state Sen. Melissa Hurtado, D-Bakersfield, introduced legislation to create a tax credit for agricultural employers to help cover the cost of paying overtime wages to farmworkers.
Senate Bill 921, co-sponsored by the California Farm Bureau and the California Association...
San Martin ‘treasure’ Kenneth Ludewig dies
Lifelong San Martin resident Kenneth Ludewig, a local “treasure” who brought joy to countless South Valley residents as the creator and operator of the former San Martin Country Park & Pumpkin Patch, died unexpectedly on Nov. 7, according to family members. He was 74...
Local Scene: Garlic City Car Show, Book Sale for the Library
Fundraiser supports therapeutic riding
One Step Closer’s 2024 fundraiser gala will take place 5-9pm June 23 at Coyote Ranch Event Center, featuring line dancing instruction, live auction, BBQ dinner, raffle, open bar and more.
Line dancing lessons will be taught by Janet Goddard, to live music...
Calera celebrates 50 years of winemaking
Most true lovers of pinot noir have made a pilgrimage to Calera Winery in Hollister, the place that firmly established North America’s ability to produce “the heartbreak grape.”
Calera Wine Company, established in 1975 in the remote hills of San Benito County, was the beautiful...
Valley Water urges flood preparedness
Valley Water and the National Weather Service urged the community to prepare for winter storms during a news conference held Nov. 13 at a sandbag distribution center in San José.
Last winter, Valley Water partnered with Santa Clara County and local cities to help residents...
CordeValle purchases Clos La Chance winery
CordeValle, the celebrated luxury golf resort in San Martin, recently announced it has acquired nearby Clos La Chance Winery, a picturesque vineyard estate established in the early 1990s.
The resort’s owners have renamed the winery CordeValle Winery, ushering in the newest business concept for the...
Llagas Creek project is fully funded after 70 years
Local agencies finally have enough money to complete the Upper Llagas Creek Flood Protection Project, about 70 years after the massive infrastructure project was initially planned.
Valley Water celebrated the milestone Sept. 13 at the construction site in south Morgan Hill for the final phase...
Vineyard brings romantic vibe to South Valley
I love our local wineries but have to admit I haven’t been to them all. In an attempt to spice things up and seek something new, I wanted to take a trip to Leal Vineyards near Hollister.
I decided I wanted to slow it down,...
Amid fears of ICE, farmers markets see mixed impact
On a normal Friday afternoon, the farmers market in downtown Watsonville—which draws vendors and customers from Hollister, Gilroy and beyond—is a bustling, joyous event, with gaggles of children playing in a bounce house and families happily in long lines to purchase fresh produce and...
Ranch purchase adds to Bay Area Ridge Trail plan
The Conservation Fund purchased the Richmond Ranch on Jan. 22, a 3,653-acre property in southern Santa Clara County.
The Fund is a national organization that provides money to bridge the acquisition of conservation lands by private and public sources. In this case, they are buying...























