Local Scene: Locals earn academic honors
Local Residents Graduate from Pacific University
Gilroy residents Christopher Colyer and Tayler Martinez graduated in spring commencement ceremonies from the Pacific University in Oregon.
Colyer graduated with a bachelor of science from the College of Arts & Sciences. Martinez graduated with a doctor of medical science...
Statewide homelessness climbs 3%
California’s homeless population remains the biggest in the nation, but the crisis is growing more slowly here than in most of the rest of the country, according to new federal data.
The number of homeless Californians increased just over 3% last year compared to the...
Cat declawing, book censorship among new 2026 laws
Every year, lawmakers in Sacramento introduce a flurry of bills, most of which are eviscerated during the legislative process and end up on the Assembly or Senate trash heap. A select few make it to the governor’s desk, and assuming they dodge the veto...
New diversion tunnel under construction at Anderson Dam
Valley Water crews have dug about 160 feet into a giant tunnel that will be able to divert massive volumes of water out of Anderson Reservoir when the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project is completed.
The 20-foot diameter tunnel—which will be 1,750 feet long when...
Fiber brings high-speed internet to South County
High-speed internet is coming to South County, as local providers have been installing fiber internet lines and infrastructure underground and on utility poles in recent months. This work will continue well into next year in an effort to expand the availability of fast, reliable...
As Biden visits, Bay Area reps plead for disaster aid
The Bay Area Congressional delegation—Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA-16) and Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17)—wrote to President Joe Biden on Jan. 19 to request that relief for Santa Clara County be included in the Presidential Major Declaration for...
New law gives workers more paid sick days
California workers will be guaranteed five paid sick days a year starting Jan. 1, up from the three days that employers are currently required to provide, thanks to Senate Bill 616.
The bill, authored by Long Beach Democratic Sen. Lena Gonzalez, also extends protections against...
Valley Water celebrates $727M in EPA loans for Anderson Dam, other projects
With a cold winter storm bearing down on Morgan Hill, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrators joined local and regional representatives Feb. 23 at the top of Anderson Dam to announce the availability of $727 million in low-cost loans that will fund the rebuilding of...
Roundabout construction continues at Highways 25, 156
Construction of a new traffic roundabout at the intersection of State Routes 25 and 156 near Hollister continues this week with work taking place behind protective concrete barriers, according to the California Department of Transportation.
Recently installed K-rail at all four approaches to the construction...
VTA urges travelers to save on gas by riding public transit
With gas prices soaring, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is urging residents to consider public transit as an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to driving.
A single ride on VTA costs $2.50 for adults, $1.25 for students, and $1.00 for seniors. Riders can pay...























