News

The Morgan Hill man accused of killing his girlfriend and leaving her body near the railroad tracks behind their home June 15 was in court Tuesday for a general appearance on the charge of murder.

Gilroy Police Chaplain and prominent local pastor Malcolm MacPhail, 55, of New Hope Community Church is recovering at a hospital in San Jose - the MacPhail family has requested the hospital not be named as they have been overwhelmed by well-wishers - after suffering a mild heart attack in the early hours of Monday morning.

Indy is an 8-week-old female Calico kitten available for adoption from Hollister Animal Care and Services, 1331 South St., Hollister. Open Monday through Friday, 12 to 5 p.m. Details: (831) 636-4320.

Jason Raby has recently been named a full partner in Articulate Solutions, Inc., southern Silicon Valley’s leading design and communications agency. As the firm’s technical and art director, Jason will sit on the Board of Directors and will share leadership and management duties with company founder and Executive Creative Director Katherine Filice.

Two of the suspects accused of killing Morgan Hill teen Tara Romero in a 2011 drive-by shooting are scheduled to go to trial for murder in San Jose July 29, though that date is likely to be pushed back, according to Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Peter Waite.

Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday, July 8, 2013 at Mission San Juan Bautista, 406 Second Street, San Juan Bautista, CA. A celebration of life will follow at noon at the Aromas Community Grange, corner of Bardue Street and Rose Avenue in Aromas, CA. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to either: the Watsonville Community Band, P.O. Box 1708, Watsonville, CA 95077; or Saint Joseph’s Family Center, 7950 Church Street, Suite A, Gilroy, CA 95020. Online condolences at www.habingfamilyfuneralhome.com

More than half of employed Gilroyans commute to jobs in Silicon Valley everyday, according to data from the US Census Bureau.

The South County Railroaders and Santa Cruz Garden Railroaders will host the South County community at its 19th annual Garden Railroad Tour. The requested nonperishable food and monetary donations from visitors will go to two South County food banks.

Don't forget - you can start your Independence Day celebration early with the Freedom Fest Freedom Run early in the morning July 4, just before the downtown parade. 

The Gilroy Foundation, a local philanthropic nonprofit organization, gave out $343,450 in scholarships this year to 53 Gilroy and Morgan Hill graduates. The money came from 19 sources including garlic entrepreneuer Don Christopher, owner of Christopher Ranch; his wife, Karen; and sons Bill and Ken Christopher.