Tax plan draws opposition
On the heels of a recent vote by the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors to oppose the half-cent general-purpose sales tax measure, many business owners are expressing support of the decision.
Home declared public nuisance due to mounting trash
City Council declared a single-story home on Cypress Court a public nuisance Aug. 4 due to mounting trash around the property, and soon, it will be cleaned up at the property owner’s expense. The council voted unanimously to solicit bids to clean up the refuse at 1221 Cypress Court at the Sept. 8 meeting.
Logan Couture, Sharks teammates to raise funds for Sierra Search Center
San Jose Sharks forward Logan Couture and teammates will sign autographs in Morgan Hill Sept. 17 to raise money and awareness for the ongoing search effort for Sierra LaMar.
Police blotter: Assault with a deadly weapon, burglary
The Gilroy Police Department recently made arrests for a variety of crimes, including assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and causing or permitting a child to suffer. Arrests were recorded in the GPD blotter between Aug. 31 and Sept. 7.
Court upholds firing of former Morgan Hill K9 officer
A Superior Court judge upheld the city’s termination of a former Morgan Hill police officer who illegally deleted photos from a suspect’s cell phone and repeatedly lied about his actions following a 2011 incident that led to an internal investigation, according to court documents.
GFD hires new division chief
After an eight-month nationwide search for a new fire division chief, Gilroy Fire Department Chief Alan Anderson recently announced that Mary Gutierrez, formerly with the San Jose Fire Department, will serve Gilroy beginning Oct. 1.
Burnt body identified as San Jose woman
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office identified the woman found burnt to death on the side of a rural Morgan Hill road Aug. 28 as Julie Teresa Calocci, 35 of San Jose. Investigators have not released any additional information about the apparent homicide. No potential suspects have yet been identified. Authorities responded to the area of Oak Glen Avenue and Uvas Road about 8 a.m. Aug. 28 in response to a call reporting someone was on fire about 30 feet off the side of the road. The caller, a passing motorist, saw smoke off the side of the road, and was concerned it might have been a grass fire, authorities said. The motorist stopped to investigate and saw a body on fire in the brush.Sheriff’s deputies, paramedics and fire personnel arrived and found a smoldering grass fire and a body down an embankment, according to authorities. Paramedics pronounced Calocci dead upon arrival, police said. Friends of Calocci’s have set up a site at gofundme.com to raise money for her burial expenses. “Julie was a California native that loved her children, friends and family (and) she enjoyed the outdoors, music, the beach,” reads a message on the site. Money raised through the site will be used “for a proper memorial and cremation service.”The site can be found at gofundme.com/dyx3js.Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area of Oak Glen Avenue, Uvas Road and Chesbro Reservoir about 8 a.m. Aug. 28 can call the sheriff's office anonymous tip line at (408) 808-4431.
Sheriff’s log: ATVs, dirt bike stolen from storage unit
Vehicle theftAn unknown suspect, between noon Aug. 7 and 11:59 p.m. Aug. 31 on the 2900 block of Scarlett Road in Gilroy, cut locks to a storage and stole two three-wheeled ATVs and a dirt bike from the unit.An unknown suspect, between 11:44 p.m. Sept. 2 and 5:30 a.m. Sept. 3 on the 11000 block of Columbet Avenue in Gilroy, stole a 1994 Honda Accord from the victim’s driveway.Residential burglaryAn unknown suspect, between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sept. 2 on the 2800 block of Dryden Avenue in Gilroy, forced entry into a residence by breaking a bedroom window and stole jewelry box with about $150 in jewelry and a men’s gold wedding band. The total value of items stolen was estimated at $550.DrugsAntonio Zepeda, 33, 12:25 p.m. Sept. 4 on the 80 block of Highland Ave. in San Martin, for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Zepeda locked himself in the restroom of the facility and refused to leave multiple times. He admitted to smoking methamphetamine the previous night.Anthony Junior Gonzales, 48, 5:02 p.m. Sept. 3 on Leavesley Road at Forest Street in Gilroy, for possession of methamphetamine.RobberyAn unknown suspect, 5:45 p.m. Aug. 31 on the 17000 block of Condit Road in Morgan Hill, stole a purse from the victim.VandalismAn unknown suspect, between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Aug. 30 on the 15000 block of Foothill Avenue in Morgan Hill, broke two windows of a residence causing $900 in damages.An unknown suspect, between 10 p.m. Aug. 30 and 9 a.m. Aug. 31 on the 600 block of Tatum Avenue in Gilroy, tagged a trailer with graffiti with estimated repairs at $200.—All subjects are innocent until proven guilty. Information is compiled from public records.
