Politics

  A divided Gilroy City Council on July 2 narrowly approved an “agri-tourist” commercial development near Hecker Pass Highway (CA 152) and Santa Teresa Boulevard. Four council members—Daniel Harney, Peter Leroe-Muñoz, Fred Tovar and Cat Tucker—rebuffed pleas from Mayor Roland Velasco and a standing-room-only crowd of...

Incumbent Sheriff Laurie Smith and retired Undersheriff John Hirokawa said Tuesday night, with about 41 percent of the total expected ballots counted in the June 5 election, they are both prepared for a November runoff battle for Santa Clara County Sheriff. As of 9pm, neither...

Early returns from the four counties in the sprawling 30th Assembly district left no doubt about the front-runner, San Benito County Supervisor Robert Rivas. He will likely face first-time Republican candidate Neil Kitchens in a November runoff, as fellow Democrat and Gilroy City Councilman...

The state’s petroleum industry is spending $320,000 in the District 30 State Assembly race to defeat fundraising frontrunner Robert Rivas. The San Benito County supervisor hopes to succeed Anna Caballero, who is running for state senate this year and represents a district that stretches...

Gilroy Mayor Roland Velasco has left his job as an aide to Santa County Supervisor Mike Wasserman, saying he wants to devote a full-time focus to his part-time role at City Hall. Velasco, elected to his first term in 2016, said this week he left...

Nearly two months after the death of Steven Juarez in police custody, friends and family of the Gilroyan are not giving up in their effort to demand answers from City Hall and its police department. Specifically, Juarez’ family—consisting of several generations of Gilroy residents—wants to...

The most hotly contested local primary on June 5 could be in the 30th Assembly District, which encompasses all of San Benito County, much of Monterey County, and portions of southern Santa Cruz County, and southern Santa Clara County, including Gilroy and Morgan Hill. Incumbent...

If you have ever considered running for local office in Santa Clara County, now is your chance. Monday kicked off the nomination period for the June 5, 2018 Statewide Primary Election. The nomination period ends on Friday, March 9, but can be extended to Wednesday,...

Walking the pathways at Las Animas Veterans Memorial Park will be smooth this summer as upgrades are expected to begin next month. The Gilroy City Council voted last week to dedicate grant funds to upgrade part of Las Animas Veterans Memorial Park off Wren Avenue....

The Gilroy City Council voted unanimously to appoint a new council person to replace Paul Kloecker, who died last month.  People who want the seat have until Jan. 18 to submit applications. The Gilroy City Charter gave the council three options. Either, make an...