Crime

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) announced today that veteran firefighter Derek Witmer, 46, will take over as chief of the Morgan Hill Fire Department as well as the state agency’s Santa Clara Unit. Witmer, of Watsonville, was appointed to the position by CalFire Director Ken Pimlott, according to CalFire staff. Witmer will replace Steve Woodill, who retired earlier this year. Witmer has 28 years of fire service, starting at the Salispuedes Fire District in 1985, where he rose through the ranks to Captain, according to a CalFire press release. In 1997 Witmer joined CalFire when the Salispuedes and Freedom Fire District merged to form the Pajaro Valley Fire District, CalFire staff said. Witmer has since worked for two CalFire units - San Mateo/Santa Cruz and Santa Clara. At CalFire, he has served in a variety of assignments including Helitack, the emergency command center, training and, most recently, as the South Bay Operations Chief. In 2012, Witmer served on Incident Management Team 5 as Deputy Incident Commander, the press release says. “Chief Witmer’s wide ranging experience makes him uniquely qualified to lead the Santa Clara Unit,” Pimlott said. “Derek brings proven leadership, cooperation and innovative ideas to the position, and will serve the community well.” In addition to Witmer’s responsibilities as Unit Chief and MHFD Chief, he will also serve as fire chief for the South Santa Clara County Fire District. 

Oct. 16 • A vehicle was reported stolen on the 300 block of El Cerrito Way. • A stolen vehicle was recovered on the 7500 block of Laurel Drive. • A vehicle was reportedly vandalized on the 900 block of Miller Avenue. Oct. 17 • A vehicle was reported...

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The Gilroy Police Department this week arrested three suspects

The plea hearing for the man who allegedly charmed multiple South County seniors into giving him money for landscaping services he never completed was once again continued to December, due to a request from the defense attorney Thursday to gather more information on the case. 

A Gilroy Police officer fired his service weapon at a suspect who drove a stolen vehicle through the Gilroy High School campus where hundreds of children and parents had gathered at midday on Sept. 9, according to authorities. The single shot fired by the officer...

A West Hollywood man who impersonated a nurse so he could work at a Gilroy hospital is expected to serve jail time, according to authorities. Jeremy Daniel Griffin, 31, pleaded no contest earlier this year to felony charges of identity theft and false imprisonment, and...

A Morgan Hill man was arrested March 20 shortly after he fled the scene of a hit-and-run accident just before 3 p.m. The incident involved three vehicles at the Vineyard Town Center parking lot off West Edmundson Avenue at Monterey Street in Morgan Hill.