State reps push for farmworker tax credits, more overtime
State Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, and state Sen. Melissa Hurtado, D-Bakersfield, introduced legislation to create a tax credit for agricultural employers to help cover the cost of paying overtime wages to farmworkers.
Senate Bill 921, co-sponsored by the California Farm Bureau and the California Association...
Field day fosters agricultural education
The Santa Clara County Fairgrounds hosted a Purina Honor Show Field Day, sponsored by Gilroy Farmers Supply. The free educational event attracted youth participants aged 9-19 from 4-H, Future Farmers of America and The Grange who are eager to enhance their livestock care and...
County gains $2.4M for grants to small businesses
Santa Clara County will receive about $2.4 million from the California Microbusiness Covid-19 Relief Grant Program (MBCRG) to aid very small businesses adversely affected by the pandemic, according to county officials.
On Jan. 11, the Board of Supervisors accepted the grant and approved community partner...
State grants Open Space Authority $1.2M for Coyote Valley preservation plan
The Board of the State Coastal Conservancy recently authorized funding totaling $84 million for projects throughout California to protect and restore coastal lands, increase coastal resilience to climate change, improve public access to the coast and reduce the impact of wildfire on coastal lands.
Locally,...
Parents rally for school safety after Luigi Aprea incident
Parents of some of the students who attend Luigi Aprea Elementary School took their concerns and frustrations to the Gilroy Unified School District board after a potentially dangerous criminal suspect was allowed to enter the campus late last month.
About 40 parents, grandparents, students and...
Retired Saint Louise surgeon reflects on career
Dr. Scott Benninghoven is hanging up his scalpel after 35 years of transforming lives in the operating rooms of Saint Louise Regional Hospital, leaving behind a legacy of healing that has touched thousands in South County and beyond.
“It is strange to look back. It’s...
Weekly market offers fresh, local produce
Every Saturday, scores of people make the drive to Pinnacle Farms market in San Juan Bautista to buy fresh, organically grown produce.
Owners Phil and Katherine Foster began farming in San Benito County in 1968. Today they grow certified organic fruit and vegetables on 295...
Christopher field hockey makes history; Gilroy sees memorable season end in CCS semifinals
In the leadup to the Christopher High field hockey team’s Central Coast Section playoff semifinal match against Los Gatos High Wednesday, Cougars junior Katie Garrison couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“Everybody I was talking to were like, ‘Well, you’ve had a good season and...
Hope springs eternal for Gilroy High in CCS playoffs
The disappointment of an underwhelming regular-season has turned into an assurance of hope for the Gilroy High baseball team in the Central Coast Section playoffs.
The No. 8 seed Mustangs are peaking at the perfect time, as evidenced by a 6-5 win over top-seed...
Local dentist launches donation drive to battle Covid surge in India
In 2020, a South County dentist launched a donation drive of medical machines to help battle a shortage of ventilators in the Covid-19 fight.
Now, Dr. Kusum Atraya is joining volunteers from around the globe to help India, which is undergoing a deadly wave of...























