Local News

Gary Young was affectionately called the “Candy Cane Man” around Christmastime, when he would pass out the minty red-and-white candies to his customers at Lowe’s Home Improvement in Gilroy. But this past holiday was different. His daughter, Stacey Silva, handed out the candy canes instead,...

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...

Santa Clara County is continuing to offer free Covid-19 diagnostic testing Aug. 11-14 in Gilroy. These walk-up testing sites provide Covid-19 viral detection tests free of charge without an appointment, symptoms, insurance or a doctor’s note, and regardless of immigration status. The testing site is located...

The doors of the new Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services Family Center were officially opened Thursday during a grand opening ceremony at 567 Auto Center Drive in Watsonville.  Community members joined elected officials, and Chamber of Commerce representatives from Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito...

It was a historic day for Christopher High in the Central Coast Section Track and Field Championships at Gilroy High on May 21.  The Cougars’ Kingsley Okoronkwo (triple jump) and Melia Middleton (300-meter hurdles) earned berths to the CIF State Championships May 27-28, and they’ll...

Gilroy Foundation’s 2025 competitive grant cycle started Oct. 1, with a goal of “empowering and enhancing the Gilroy community through philanthropy,” according to the local nonprofit.  Local organizations can start applying for the grant program, which offers applicants a chance to secure funding for initiatives...

Crew members and security staff are being tight-lipped about a major Hollywood production—featuring stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn—that is being filmed on location in downtown San Juan Bautista.  Shooting for the movie, currently known only as “BC Project,” began Feb. 25 and...

Coming off its first Central Coast Section playoff championship in program history, the Christopher High girls soccer team isn’t off to its customary fast start to begin a season. No championship hangover here, just a couple of injuries and club soccer and field hockey...

A former Gilroy educator pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud for soliciting donations from individuals to help her pay for cancer treatments she did not need nor received, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Amanda Christine Riley admitted to purposely deceiving people into thinking she...

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...