Politics

The Gilroy City Council approved a $207.2 million budget June 2 that provides funding for new pickleball courts but will “delay” the hiring of three new recreation staff, according to city officials.  The 2025-26 budget includes a general fund of $75.6 million, and a full-time...

Following a failed effort to protest the dissolution of the South Santa Clara County Fire District, county officials are preparing to consolidate fire protection services in unincorporated areas into the Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District.  Voters and property owners had an opportunity to...

Gilroy Prep School was recently approved to receive $4.68 million from the state of California’s Charter School Facilities Program. The funding will support the rehabilitation of existing school property and the construction of new K-8 classrooms.  California State Treasurer Fiona Ma’s office announced the local...

City of Gilroy officials are in the thick of the process to find and hire a new police chief, with Pedro Espinoza set to retire as of May 22.  The city is working with a nationwide search firm to recruit a new police chief. So...

The Gilroy City Council last week decided to add another public hearing to its scheduled outreach efforts to create new districts that will take effect in the 2026 and 2028 elections.  That leaves two more public hearings before the council decides which district map to...

Hundreds of people in Morgan Hill and Gilroy hit the streets April 5 to deliver the message that they are not happy with President Donald Trump and Elon Musk as part of the nationwide “Hands Off!” protests.  On just the 76th day of Trump’s presidency,...

The City of Gilroy held its third public hearing on district based elections on April 7, where the city council reviewed and discussed draft maps submitted by the public more than a week earlier. Extensive public input is designed into the city’s transition process to...

The family of Don Gage has scheduled an upcoming funeral mass and a celebration of life in honor of the former mayor of Gilroy, who died March 25 at age 79.  A funeral mass for Gage will take place at 10am April 5 at St....

Don Gage—a South County icon of politics and a beloved member of the Gilroy community—died on March 25 at age 79.  Gage’s political career started in 1981 and spanned a range of local offices and specialties. He served as a Gilroy City Council member from...

The Gilroy City Council will transition to district elections after receiving a demand letter under the California Voting Rights Act. Following a scheduled presentation at the Feb. 24 meeting from City Attorney Andy Faber and outside counsel from the firm Hanson Bridgett LLP, the seven-member...