Local News

Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian asked his colleagues to sincerely reflect and answer this question: “Does our board believe it can have confidence in the administration of the sheriff's department by current incumbent Sheriff Laurie Smith?” The answer, through an unanimous vote by the...

California lifted most of its Covid-19 restrictions and officially reopened Tuesday, marking the moment with state-subsidized vacation giveaways and $15 million in vaccine lottery prizes as it emerged from the pandemic politically divided but economically formidable. One of the last U.S. states to reopen, California...

Two candidates seeking to become Santa Clara County’s next Assessor emphasized their contrasting backgrounds and visions for modernizing the office during a Meet the Candidate forum Sept. 8 at the Morgan Hill Grange. Yan Zhao, a Saratoga city council member and two-term mayor, and Neysa...

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...

The death of a bucking horse that suffered a broken neck during a performance at the Gilroy Rodeo Aug. 8 has raised questions about animal safety protocols and injury reporting requirements.  The mare, known as +H6 Cow Palace, fell while bucking and broke her neck,...

Instead of going through the lengthy process of filing a petition, thousands of Santa Clara County residents will have their marijuana convictions expunged automatically.

Santa Clara County will close its mass Covid-19 vaccination and testing sites by the end of the month as they are no longer essential to the county’s pandemic response, officials said Feb. 1.  While county health officials emphasized that the pandemic is not over and...

As coronavirus infections skyrocket throughout the nation, scientists are studying the foul sludge coursing through thousands of miles of sewage pipes in Silicon Valley and South Santa Clara County to identify outbreaks before they’re reflected in official case counts.

San Francisco, Santa Clara and Marin counties moved into the state's orange tier of Covid-19 restrictions Tuesday, allowing them to expand indoor capacities for some businesses and reopen bars outdoors.  The three counties join San Mateo County as the only Bay Area counties to proceed...

Longtime congresswoman Zoe Lofgren is locked in a contentious battle with Muwekma Ohlone tribal leader Charlene Nijmeh and former San Benito County Supervisor Peter Hernandez that will be decided in November, when the two highest primary vote getters face off. The normally routine business of...