The year of the returning bulb
This past year has been a flurry of events, milestones, changes, victories and losses that shaped Gilroy and South Santa Clara County. And as the region continues to face the challenges and embrace the hopes related to ongoing growth, 2026 promises to keep local...
OSA secures $800k in federal funds for local preserve improvements
The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority this week celebrated an $800,000 federal allocation that will pay for accessibility improvements to a trail and other facilities at the Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve in Morgan Hill.
U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined OSA officials and...
Conservationists purchase 1,986-acre ranch in Morgan Hill
A regional land preservation organization recently purchased a 1,986-acre ranch in west Morgan Hill, pledging to permanently protect the property that includes sweeping views and critical wildlife crossings, as well as homes for native and endangered species.Â
The Peninsula Open Space Trust announced on April...
State grants Open Space Authority $1.2M for Coyote Valley preservation plan
The Board of the State Coastal Conservancy recently authorized funding totaling $84 million for projects throughout California to protect and restore coastal lands, increase coastal resilience to climate change, improve public access to the coast and reduce the impact of wildfire on coastal lands.
Locally,...
County health takes steps to end illegal disposal
Santa Clara County supervisors —and the public—on Dec. 12 got their first public explanation from county officials on the explosive revelations a week earlier that county-run hospitals had for at least a year illegally dumped medical waste, drugs and patient data into dumpsters.
Healthcare officials...
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...
Gilroy’s ‘Mr. Garlic’ dies after long battle with Alzheimer’s
Gerald Foisy—largely known to Gilroy community members and garlic aficionados as Mr. Garlic—died on Jan. 7 after a battle with Alzheimer's. He was 83 years old.
For 29 years, Foisy volunteered as Mr. Garlic, the happy, healthy ambassador of the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival who...
Santa Clara County seeks to add resources for caregivers
Santa Clara County is moving forward with a series of actions to support family caregivers in response to a recent county survey that found caregivers need more resources.
The county Board of Supervisors accepted staff recommendations and instructed them to create ways to address caregivers'...
Heat warning extends to Thursday, more flex alerts issued
A statewide Flex Alert has been issued for Sept. 5 as a heat wave impacts the Golden State with blistering temperatures over the Labor Day weekend and beyond.
The alert for Labor Day is the sixth consecutive day that the California Independent System Operator has...
Gilroy mothers fight against fentanyl
Three mothers from California's South Valley have turned their grief into advocacy after losing their teenage sons to fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills.
Gilroy residents Geralyn Vasquez, Lisa Marquez and Stephanie Carrasco each lost sons between ages 17 and 21 to what the young men believed were...























