News

The largest public utility company in the nation is now a partner in the Panoche Valley solar project as part of a move that should add construction clout for the venture expected to break ground sometime in 2014.

San Benito County supervisors reduced the car allowance for appointed department heads from $500 to $350 at last week’s board of supervisors' meeting, while there were concerns from one department head that there should be some exemptions to the allowance.

Four months after Sierra LaMar disappeared outside her north Morgan Hill home, authorities and searchers remain hopeful they will find the missing teen.

Hollister police officers arrest three men suspected of shooting firearms near downtown Hollister in what officers say could be gang-related incidents. The officers also arrested two other men for burglary, in what they also believe to be a gang-related crime.

Pet Friends recently held their fourth annual Wag'n'Walk event at the Graniterock Southside quarry. Despite the forecast of near 100 degree temperatures, the enthusiastic participants showed up to make it another successful event. Thanks to the Graniterock volunteers, the course and registration booths were ready to go when the Friends of Pet Friends volunteers showed up at 7:30 am. With over 60 on-line pre-registrations, and a flood of same-day registrations, it looked to be another well-attended event to benefit the cats and dogs at Pet Friends.

A new development in the twisted saga for the battle over Sargent Ranch - vast expanse of undulating hills, pristine streams, unsullied wildlife habitats and unincorporated farmland just south of Gilroy - popped up last week in a Santa Cruz Sentinel legal notice alerting the public to a foreclosure auction slated later this month.

Earlier this year, former Gilroy High School quarterback Niko Fortino had a message on his phone. On the other end of the voicemail, Independence High School head coach Norm Brown relayed the news Fortino had wanted to hear for quite some time. He had been chosen to be a member on the South squad in the Silicon Valley Youth Classic Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star football game – the annual exhibition that showcases the upper-echelon of outgoing senior football players in Santa Clara County.

Change is inevitable. However, for the last 11 years, there has been one constant around this time of year – the Myles Brinson and JR Adams Fundamentals of Football Camp, which taps into a multitude of lessons that can be used on and off the playing surface. The Gilroy summer football mainstay took place last week and completed another successful year, captivating campers and volunteers alike. And that may never change.

Last week, eight Gilroy football players – representing both Christopher and Gilroy high schools as well as Mitty High School – attended the Elite Offensive-Defensive Football Camp in San Diego. The week-long camp was taught by former NFL players and coaches as well as college football coaches – including Matthew Hatchette, former wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars, Jason Reyes, quarterbacks coach at Chapman University and Binky Benton, the former San Diego State running back. Not only was it the largest contingent from one city, four individuals won awards for their achievements. Mills (Christopher) was named the Most Valuable Player of Camp Super Bowl, Goldstein (Gilroy) earned the top defensive back honors, McMurray (Mitty), took home the top running back award and Jones (Gilroy) received the top defensive lineman award. Those four athletes, along with other award winners from the 33 other OD camps, were invited to play in the All America Showcase Super Bowl at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas in December.