Local News

Most true lovers of pinot noir have made a pilgrimage to Calera Winery in Hollister, the place that firmly established North America’s ability to produce “the heartbreak grape.”  Calera Wine Company, established in 1975 in the remote hills of San Benito County, was the beautiful...

After a 30-year career in law enforcement, including 22 years with the Gilroy Police Department, Chief Pedro Espinoza has announced his retirement.  Espinoza’s retirement is effective as of May 23. The city will conduct a nationwide search for the next Gilroy police chief, likely to...

Americans will spend billions of dollars on Valentine’s Day before the week is over, and local flower shops have spent months getting ready for the inevitable rush of last-minute orders expected by Feb. 14.  Jerry Ayala, owner of the Flower Cottage in downtown Morgan Hill,...

Tran named to dean’s list Cathy Tran, a San Martin resident and graduate of Valley Christian High School, was named to the Muhlenberg College dean’s list for the fall 2024 semester. Tran studies biology at the college, which is located in Allentown, Penn.  Trujillo earns academic...

The Rotary Club of Gilroy, at a Jan. 28 meeting at the Lodge on the Hill, celebrated the recipients of $70,000 in grants for local schools and organizations. Funding for the grants came from the Gilroy Rotary Endowment, which was established in 1991 to...

The sun was low in the winter sky, making it difficult to get a clear shot of the front of the ancient ivy-covered rockwall face of the oldest winery in Santa Clara Valley. I could barely make out the words “E. Guglielmo & Son,...

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has intervened in a lawsuit challenging San Benito County’s approval of the Betabel Commercial Development on U.S. 101 south of Hollister, Bonta’s office announced this week. The lawsuit was initially filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Amah Mutsun Tribal...

An 18-year-old passenger died in a vehicle crash on San Justo Road in San Benito County Jan. 29, according to authorities.  About 5:03pm Jan. 29, the driver of a vehicle lost control of the car while traveling east on San Justo Road, east of San...

Amid fears and recent reports of federal immigration authorities targeting undocumented immigrants in local communities, law enforcement leaders and public officials throughout the South Valley have attempted to reassure their communities that residents are safe from local action.  Santa Clara County Sheriff Bob Jonsen and...

Barbecued meats on artisanal pies has emerged as a growing subgenre in contemporary pizza culture.  In Gilroy, the High & Mighty Pizza Joint is firing up barbecue pizza specialties like jalapeño tri-tip and a two-meat brisket combo as part of their participation in Silicon...