Local News

Californians accused of certain drug and retail theft crimes may already be facing stiffer penalties under an initiative voters passed this year, alongside related bills Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law.  Voters this November overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36, which both modifies and adds key changes...

It’s springtime, and orange poppies, purple lupine and red paintbrush flowers color the hillsides at Juristac, a pristine hillside landscape in northern San Benito County and Southern Santa Clara County that is the site of a proposal for an open pit mining project.  In honor...

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...

A motorist died in a collision with another vehicle on Highway 152 near Lovers Lane on Dec. 22, according to authorities. All three people in the other vehicle, including a small child, were transported to a nearby hospital.  California Highway Patrol officers responded to the...

Gilroy officials are considering asking the voters to approve an increase of the city’s transient occupancy tax—commonly referred to as the hotel tax—up to a total of 13% of visitors’ short-term lodging rentals.  The current hotel tax rate in Gilroy is 9%, which officials noted...

With the season of thanks upon us and as thousands of Gilroy families prepare for their annual Thanksgiving feast, the Dispatch this week sought the wisdom of local community leaders to achieve some insight into what there is to be thankful for this holiday...

Gilroy Police arrested a teen who was allegedly involved in an armed robbery in which a victim’s vehicle was stolen on Railroad Street. The incident is under investigation and authorities say more suspects may have been involved.  About 8pm Aug. 27, Gilroy Police responded to...

On the Nov. 5 general election ballot is the race for three seats on the Gilroy City Council. All three incumbents are running for reelection, and three political newcomers are challenging them.  Six candidates are running for Gilroy City Council, and voters can select up...

On Aug. 28, CalFire lifted an evacuation warning zone in east Morgan Hill and Gilroy, including the Morgan Hill neighborhoods of Jackson Oaks, Thomas Grade and Holiday Lake Estates.

Santa Clara County moved into the less-restrictive “Red Tier” on Sept. 8 as part of California’s new Covid-19 reopening plan, state officials announced. Personal care services can now operate indoors with restrictions, and museums, zoos, aquariums and gyms can reopen with limited capacity. Capacity for...