Business

After 16 years in the wine business, John and Carolyn Aver of Aver Family Vineyards in San Martin are closing out a fast-paced chapter.  The couple, who operated a tasting room on the grounds of their home off Watsonville Road for much of that time,...

Phil Fortino has been appointed vice president and business banking officer for Rabobank, N.A. As business banking officer, Fortino is responsible for fostering relationships with small- to medium-sized companies and providing solutions to meet the banking needs of customers in Gilroy, Hollister and the surrounding area. Before joining Rabobank, Fortino served as small business banker for Bank of America and was president and general manager for his own company, Fortino’s Total Home. He attended Gavilan College in Gilroy and Fresno Technical College. He is involved with several organizations in Hollister, including the Rotary Club, Community Foundation, Elk’s Lodge, Chamber of Commerce and the Hollister Downtown Association.

Police arrested a man they say confessed Tuesday to setting 15 fires in southern Santa Clara County. The news comes only days after police arrested another man suspected of intentionally setting a fire in Gilroy during the previous week. Daniel Catano, 32, was arrested on suspicion...

Julie Hutcheson, a longtime Morgan Hill resident and environmental advocate for the South Bay, is the new executive director for Green Foothills.  Hutcheson has been on Green Foothills’ staff for more than 12 years and has taken an active role in leading the organization, most...