Gil1742

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ESTABLISHED 1868

A New SV Media publication

Friday, October 20, 2017

gilroydispatch.com • Vol. 150, No. 42 • $1

Youth crimes drop in Gilroy

LOCAL SCENE Gilroy police help Sonoma Gilroy firefighters couldn’t help fight the blazes in Sonoma because the department’s trucks are being repaired and it is shortstaffed, according to a city press release. “At the time the call for mutual aid was received, the department had two engines being repaired and a third engine awaiting repair,” the city reported. “Furthermore, at present the fire department is not 100 percent staffed, thus requiring the current staff to remain in Gilroy to provide maximum protection for the community.” The GIlroy Police Department sent 15 officers who filled 16 12-hour shifts to assist the Sonoma County Sheriff’s office in handling calls for service, traffic control, and patrols to guard against potential looters, trespassers, and unauthorized parties in secured areas. As of today, the California National Guard has taken over all of the fixed-post positions in the areas affected by the fires and law enforcement services through mutual aid are being scaled back.

$2.5 MILLION GRANT GETS BIG RESULTS FOR SCHOOLS By Brad Kava Editor

Hayes and Jenny Mosher, of Gilroy, first focused on the biggest victims. “Our focus has been on large animals and livestock, but we’re also bringing some supplies for volunteers since they’re often staying up all night,” Hayes said. The rapid spread of the fire rushed through and destroyed grasslands used as grazing grounds for livestock, leaving scarce food sources. To help fill the void, Hayes

Youth crime in Gilroy has dropped almost 50 percent over the past three years, after an intensive school program funded by a $500,000 a year grant, according to a report by the South County Youth Task Force. Arrests of youths aged 11-–19 in Gilroy have dropped significantly—13 percent last year and 46 percent between 2013 and 2016. Last year, 169 youths were arrested by police compared to 195 in 2015 and 371 in 2012. “I’m extremely happy about this,” said Bernice Aguilera, the Gilroy police officer who administers the $500,000-a-year grant for Gilroy and Morgan Hill schools. “This is a passion we have. Back in 2012 Chief Turner felt that arresting our way out of crime was a never-ending goal, so we really had to promote prevention and intervention programs to support our youth and families. Chief Smithee feels the same way. “We’re ecstatic, we’re happy. We really hope this downward trend continues.” The task force focuses efforts on an identified population of youth exhibiting high-risk behaviors, such as committing intentional acts of violence and gang lifestyles. Some of the programs she administers include late-night gyms, tattoo removal, social activities and summer field trips. Some of the biggest successes have been the result of a school program called restorative justice, which builds a circle of parents, students and counselors to mediate things such as school fights, bullying or students with serious problems. When a student has been suspended and returns to school, they are greeted by a circle of people who can help ease their transition and work out the problems that led to them being suspended. “A restorative circle will welcome them back,” said Aguilera. “We ask parents

➝ Horse Rescue, 16

➝ Youth Crime, 14

Fourth Annual Beer Crawl this Weekend

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF MORGAN HILL, GILROY & SAN MARTIN

OCTOBER 20, 2017

A section of the Gilroy Dispatch & Morgan Hill Times

Festival oflights Diwali celebrations begin to light up the South Valley

OU T & AB OU T OF NDAR CA LE EN TS EV

Inside this issue: Diwali Delights

SARAH’S VINEYARD P8 | SUPER SENIORS P16 | REALTOR AMBER NEIL P19

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Robert Eliason

The Gilroy Downtown Business Association presents the 4th Annual Halloween Beer Crawl and Beer Crawl After Party on Saturday, Oct. 21 starting at 2pm. There will be 25 pour stations from craft breweries in downtown businesses. Breweries will feature three-ounce pours of delectable craft beers from local and well-known craft beer producers. Participants are encouraged to dress in costume and will receive a commemorative tasting glass and specially designed event map with coupons and incentives. There are also special gifts for designated drivers at most pour stations. Tickets can be purchased online: http://bit.ly/2wzU9uw, at Shag Beauty Bar, Predators Archery and the Gilroy Welcome Center for $30 presale/ $35 this week, or on Saturday for $40 each. Tickets include access to all pour stations in Downtown Gilroy. Beer Crawl After Party tickets can be purchased now for $10 the same locations now or $15 on Saturday. The Beer Crawl After Party is a 21-and-over event featuring Chicano All-Stars, DJ Jimmy G and takes place beginning at 6pm at the District Theater, 7430 Monterey St.

GREAT PUMPKIN Santa Rosa resident Russ Pingrey’s 2,000-pound grand champion pumpkin at

the 27th annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off at Uesugi Farms Pumpkin Park in San Martin.

Pumpkin escapes fire SANTA ROSA MAN’S WINNER WEIGHS IN AT 2,000 POUNDS Scott Forstner Reporter

Days after devastating fires in the North Bay threatened to incinerate Russ Pingrey's 2,000-pound pumpkin—along with his Santa Rosa home—the gargantuan gourd earned the hobbyist grower the title of 2017 Grand Champion at the 27th annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off at Uesugi Farms in San Martin. Pingrey’s giant pumpkin earned him a $14,000 paycheck (at $7 per pound). “I thought I had a chance,” said Pingrey of his first-place gourd. He had originally planned to enter

in the Half Moon Bay competition one week earlier, but he was delayed due to the the wildfires that surrounded his home and continue to burn. “I woke up Monday morning and there was fire all around me.” The Tubbs Fire was only a half mile from his house Oct. 9, so his family packed up a tent trailer and were ready for evacuation orders, which came later that day. His house and his prize pumpkins were in jeopardy. “We evacuated but (the firefighters) were able to hold the line on Badger Road (about half a mile north). It was kind of a stressful time,” said Pingrey, a letter carrier by trade who also grows pumpkins on his one-acre property. “(The winning pumpkin) used to be called ‘Gourdo,’ but

after surviving the fire I changed its name to ‘Fireball.’” Pingrey was able to return to his home on Monday, Oct. 9, after the evacuation orders were lifted. With uncertainty the fires could threaten again, however, he was going to skip the San Martin competition as well. “I wasn’t going to come, but my wife said, ‘Just go. We’ve (evacuated) twice before. We know what to do,’” Pingrey said. Pingrey headed down to San Martin with “Fireball,” and ended up with the $14,000 top prize. “There’s not a lot of people who have grown 2,000-pound or more pumpkins. I was very excited,” Pingrey said. “Honestly, I was happy to get away (from the fires) somewhere.” ➝Pumpkins, 14

Local gifts help feed animals SOUTH COUNTY GROUP FOCUSES ON PETS AND LIVESTOCK By Bryce Stoepfel Reporter

South County residents have been working to help horses, goats, cats and dogs that have been victims of the massive Wine County fires in Sonoma and Napa. Based at New Dawn Equine Rescue Sanctuary and the Silva

Ranches Feed Store in San Martin, the rescuers have filled 22 truckloads with supplies for thousands of newly homeless pets, livestock and their owners. “It’s been a little hectic,” said Katelyn Hayes, 29, a San Martin resident and founder and president of New Dawn, who has received donations from the feed store and the community. “My first trip included 30 bales of hay, 45 bags of grain, chicken feed, dog food and lots of other things they need. We had so much stuff it was bulging out of the sides of the trailer.”

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MAKE THIS SCHOOL YEAR

GREATER THAN LAST YEAR!

Mathnasium of Gilroy • mathnasium.com/gilroy

408-329-MATH (6284)

FREE

ASSESSMENT


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