Health

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...

The American Red Cross is urging people to mark the fall season by donating blood or platelets to help the Bay Area’s supply strong.  Upcoming blood donation events are scheduled at locations in Gilroy and Morgan Hill in the coming weeks. From 10am-4pm Oct. 9,...

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...

Santa Clara County health officials on Aug. 14 reported the first local death attributed to West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne illness. The death this month of an immunocompromised adult at a local hospital “after experiencing West Nile virus symptoms” is the second reported human case...

Authorities in Santa Clara County are trying to eradicate an “aggressive” species of mosquito before it can become established, a spokesperson for the county said April 11.  A half-dozen non-native Aedes aegytpi mosquitoes have been detected in East San Jose, according to the county. The...

The idea of the Morgan Hill Magical Bridge inclusive playground started out nearly eight years ago as the brainchild of local couple Ron and Shirlee Locicero. The new park—which is home to a variety of swings, slides, sensory features, musical installations and an outdoor...

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority this week announced its first Coyote Valley Photo Contest, allowing local residents and photography enthusiasts to share their favorite images of the local natural wonderland.  As part of the in-progress Coyote Valley Conservation Area Master Plan, the authority...

Santa Clara County is steering $15 million into expanding childcare services in the county, officially launching last week a grant program that was approved in February.  Funds can be used by recipients for facility improvements and operating costs, including rent and wages.  The county Board of...

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'...

UC Santa Cruz recently acquired and established the Strathearn Ranch Natural Reserve, a 2,400-acre oak-studded grassland property in San Benito County that will be used for field research and outdoor education for the university’s students, staff and researchers.  The UC Board of Regents approved the...