Crime

The Gilroy man who’s been in custody since May 2011 for allegedly killing his wife’s 6-week-old Chihuahua puppy was deemed incompetent to continue on to trial – for now at least – according to Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Troy Benson.

A jury Thursday convicted Travis J. Hoffmeister of murdering 20-year-old Hollister resident Christella Macias in June 2007.

Police on Thursday morning arrested a 25-year-old Hollister man on suspicion he took a case of beer and ran from a convenient store while a uniformed police officer was inside the business, according to Hollister police.

The San Benito County Sheriff's Office has released the identity of the victim in Thursday morning's fatality on Highway 101 near San Juan Bautista.

The president of the Hollister police union called former Sgt. Ray Wood’s expected six-month sentence for embezzlement “fair” and stressed the organization has addressed lacking oversight that allowed the thefts to occur.

Jonathan Fidone, the Hollister man convicted of molesting a 19-month-old child, is set for a sentence hearing after a judge ruled against his motion for a new trial.

Opening statements were Thursday in the murder trial of Hollister’s Travis J. Hoffmeister, accused in the June 2007 killing of Christella Macias.

There were two small earthquakes Thursday morning near Pinnacles National Monument, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Hollister and Calfire present plans to offer service to county

Sheriff Darren Thompson on Wednesday released a statement acknowledging a deputy had been arrested on allegations of driving under the influence while on a training trip in Newark.