Santa Clara County judge orders Firestone to pay $4M
A $4 million settlement was reached between Firestone Complete Auto Care and prosecutors in 29 counties over allegations that Firestone disposed of hazardous waste unlawfully in California.
Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Christopher Rudy on Friday ordered civil penalties of $2.865 million, which will...
Sex abuse, satanic rites described in charges against foster mom
A Gilroy day care operator stalked and sexually molested her foster child and engaged in Satanic rituals, according to allegations in documents reviewed by the Gilroy Dispatch.
Santa Clara County officials filed a July 31 criminal complaint that details the charges against Christina Jean Johnson,...
Police arrest South Santa Clara County arson suspects
Police arrested a man they say confessed Tuesday to setting 15 fires in southern Santa Clara County.
The news comes only days after police arrested another man suspected of intentionally setting a fire in Gilroy during the previous week.
Daniel Catano, 32, was arrested on suspicion...
Santa Clara County seeks Poet Laureate applicants
The Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) and the County of Santa Clara, in partnership with SVCreates and Poetry Center San José, announced a call for 2024-2025 Santa Clara County Poet Laureate applications.
The Poet Laureate is an honorary post that acts as an advocate...
Lawmakers agree on across-the-board cuts in state budget
Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders reached a nearly $300 million budget agreement on June 21 that closes a $46.8 billion deficit that was projected for the coming fiscal year with across-the-board cuts of nearly 8% to every department.
The $297.5 billion budget is proposed...
Bill proposes bond measure for offshore wind energy
In a step toward building the first massive wind farms off California’s coast, three Assemblymembers on Feb. 12 proposed a $1 billion bond act to help pay for the expansion of ports.
The bill, if approved, would place a bond before voters aimed at helping...
Morgan Hill Mushroom Festival returns with focus on community, scholarships
The annual Morgan Hill Mushroom Festival is set to return May 24-25 at the Morgan Hill Downtown Amphitheater and surrounding area, bringing with it an enhanced focus on community involvement and educational scholarships while celebrating the region's fungal heritage.
The festival, which has been running...
Gavilan College football team believes turnaround is imminent
From strictly a won-loss standpoint, the Gavilan College football program has been mired in mediocrity for nearly two decades.
The last time the Rams had a winning season—either overall or in conference play—was in 2006, when they finished 4-6 overall but 3-1 with two other...
Gilroy Chamber honors 2025 Spice of Life winners
The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce will host the 2025 Spice of Life Awards gala and dinner on March 15 at the Gilroy Elks Lodge on Hecker Pass Highway. The theme for this year’s gala is “Emerald Elegance.”
The gala will take place from 5-9pm.
The chamber’s...
DA’s office cracks down on EDD fraud
Santa Clara County prosecutors are cracking down on people—and particularly inmates—who’ve scammed taxpayers out of a fortune in ill-gotten unemployment benefits.
