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Residents with warrants for minor crimes and traffic violations can avoid jail and spend the holidays with their loved ones by surrendering to authorities during the month of December, according to police. “Operation Second Chance” starts Saturday, and will continue through Dec. 31. During this time, individuals with non-violent misdemeanor criminal and traffic warrants can to their local sheriff’s or police station and receive a citation with a new court date, rather than being booked into the County Jail. The warrant citation will contain a “promise to appear” court date. Operation Second Chance is directed toward most misdemeanor warrants, no matter the bail - including warrants stamped “no cite and release” and “no bail,” according to authorities. The following warrants do not qualify for forgiveness during Operation Second Chance:-Felony warrants-Any warrant involving violence-Any warrant involving a firearm-Any warrant involving resisting arrest-Any warrant involving giving false information to a peace officerStill, individuals with these types of warrants are still encouraged to surrender to authorities so they can take care of their matter in court, authorities said. Over the past seven years, more than 2,400 local residents have taken advantage of Operation Second Chance and avoided spending the holidays in jail by surrendering, according to a sheriff’s press release. All law enforcement agencies are participating in Operation Second Chance, and individuals who qualify can go to their local police station to surrender and be released instead of going to jail, authorities said. In South County, residents can take care of their warrants at the following locations:-Sheriff’s Office South County Substation, 80 W. Highland Ave., San Martin, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.-Morgan Hill Police Department, 16200 Vineyard Blvd., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.-Gilroy Police Department, 7301 Hanna St., Gilroy, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.For more information about this program, contact the Sheriff’s Office records staff at (408) 808-4717.

REDUCED ADOPTION FEES:  The FOSMAS Board of Directors voted to again hold our "Home for the Holidays" promotion.  Adoption fees are reduced to $50 for kitties 6 months and older through Sun, January 5th (extra donations gratefully accepted).  The adoption fee for kitties under 6 months is still $125.  These fees help with the costs of de-worming, de-fleaing, vaccinating, testing, spay/neuter, and microchipping. 

Small businesses are fighting back in a climate of national retailers touting doorbuster sales on Thanksgiving Day, which as early as Tuesday prompted some zealous bargain hunters to pitch a couple tents outside Gilroy’s Best Buy.

Some local winery owners in unincorporated areas might think twice about expanding their operations, if a proposed ordinance drafted by the Santa Clara County Planning Department comes into effect.

Kaelin Sylva, a 17-year-old senior at CHS, is this week's "student of the week."

An associate degree from Gavilan College means even more with the ever-expanding transfer program between California Community Colleges and California State Universities.

Modesto was able to take one set from Gavilan, but that's all it would get.

Here is your latest digest of criminal happenings in South County, recorded from the Santa Clara County Sheriff's substation in San Martin.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, people will soon flock to the roads to visit and celebrate with family and friends. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office reminds all travelers, whether they are heading across the country or just across town, to ensure a safe arrival and a happy holiday by buckling up every time they travel.“The risk of being involved in a serious or deadly car crash increases when the number of cars on the road increases, and the long Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year,” said Sheriff Laurie Smith. “So we want to remind everyone that your seat belts can save your life – and those you are traveling with.”According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts saved almost 12,000 lives nationwide in 2011. Research shows that with proper seat belt use, the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers is reduced by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent.Such a simple step can save a life, but too many lives are being lost because some have still not gotten the message, according to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office. During the 2011 Thanksgiving period, 249 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes nationwide. Fifty percent of those killed were not wearing seat belts. California witnessed 24 passenger vehicle occupants killed that same yearwith 10 of those found to have died without using their safety restraints.In 2011, 52 percent of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in motor vehicle crashes were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. In California, 27 percent of the 1,597 vehicle occupants were killed while not using their occupant restraints; a total of 434 deaths, according to the press release.Nationally in 2011, 62 percent of the 10,135 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in nighttime crashes were not wearing their seat belts, compared to 43 percent during the daytime hours, according to authorities.“All too often, we see crash victims who were caught up in the excitement of the Thanksgiving holiday and didn’t arrive safely at their destination,” Smith added. “We want to remind everyone who will be on the roads to please buckle up - Every Trip, Every Time - so you can give thanks this holiday season and enjoy the time with your loved ones.”

A Gilroy man who has been called at least 15 times by identify theft scammers claiming to be from Microsoft wants to spread the warning and prevent additional people from being victimized.