Spoking My Mind: Keeping cool when temps climb
To coin a cliché, hot enough for you? Sure, I’ve lived here long enough to know that some of the hottest days of 2024 have yet to hit us; still, we’ve already had our fair share of some terribly toasty temps.
You longtime readers know...
Expansion to increase South County recycled water capacity
An expansion project underway at the South County Regional Wastewater plant will increase the treatment facility’s capacity by nearly 30%, bring advanced technology to the local recycled water production system, tighten South Valley’s commitment to sustainability and help accommodate the long-term growth coming to...
PG&E offers free gas safety inspections at local homes
To help customers prepare their gas appliances for safe use during the cold months ahead, Pacific Gas and Electric Company is offering free in-home gas safety checks, the utility company said in a press release. During the gas safety checks, PG&E also will re-light...
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,...
Federal, state water managers announce increased deliveries
Managers of California’s two main water storage and delivery systems on March 22 announced increases to forecasted water allocations for millions of people and vast tracts of farmland.
The state Department of Water Resources, which runs the State Water Project, said its anticipated water deliveries...
County supes approve multi-faceted approach to fentanyl crisis
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved amping up services and resources to combat the fentanyl crisis with money from opioid lawsuit settlements and other grants.
San Jose has been dubbed a “fentanyl hub,” and Supervisor Cindy Chavez established the county’s...
Record temperatures take a toll on South Valley
The historic heat wave that has gripped most of California this week has resulted in broken temperature records, prompted cities and counties to open public “cooling centers” for the vulnerable, limited outdoor school activities—and might have even damaged a stretch of highly traveled asphalt...
City council opens Gilroy to food trucks
Owners and customers of food trucks and other mobile vendors finally have clearer guidance on when and where to operate in Gilroy, as the city council recently adopted a pilot program that is in effect immediately.
Council members said at the June 2 meeting that...
Gavilan College opens food pantry on Hollister campus
To ensure students get basic nutrition, Gavilan College opened a food pantry with a ceremonial ribbon cutting Feb. 25 on its Hollister campus.
The well-stocked room is a collaboration between the college and the Community FoodBank of San Benito. Annette Gutierrez, Gavilan’s director of basic...
Statewide cleanup effort includes inaugural ‘Trashure Hunt’
California Coastal Cleanup Day will celebrate its 41st year this September with its first ever “Trashure Hunt,” offering participants the chance to win a variety of prizes by volunteering to pick up litter and garbage at hundreds of locations across the state, organizers announced...























