Former Patch Staff
Hometown: Van Nuys, California
Birthday: July 1, 1963
Sheila Sanchez was born in Van Nuys and moved to Guayaquil, Ecuador, as a child. When she was 18, she returned to the U.S. to finish high school and enroll at Brigham Young University. That's where she earned her bachelor's degree in journalism in 1990.
Sanchez has worked for more than 25 years as a reporter and editor at mid-size daily and weekly newspapers. She's won several awards from the Associated Press for her spot news and investigative reporting, and in 2007, the Morgan Hill Times won the coveted General Excellence Award from the California Newspaper Publishers Association, while Sanchez was editor. She also won numerous awards while working as editor for Patch, including "Best of the West" for her coverage of slain the slain Santa Cruz police officers. She's married to Mario, a software engineer in Santa Clara, and has three children—two daughters, ages 21 and 19, and a son, who is 12. She's completed eight marathons. My Beliefs: At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.
Politics: I'm not affiliated to any political party, but tend to vote Republican. I'm conservative on issues related to family, but I'm liberal on social issues.
Religion: I'm a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a.k.a. Mormons. I was raised Catholic and attended Catholic schools in Alausi, Ecuador, living in a boarding school run by Sisters of the Oblate Order. It was there that my love for spirituality and faith was born. I converted to Mormonism in Guayaquil, Ecuador, after searching and studying religion for many years.
I respect all denominations and faiths and believe all of them can help us draw closer to a higher power to live happy lives full of purpose and hope.
Local hot-button issues: Everyone in town is talking about the need for more recreational opportunities for youth. The planning of the proposed youth sports park is being closely followed by youth advocates, parents and young people. Capital improvement projects are also a big concern. The town is building a new library and last year built a police operations center to give more room to the police department. Other government buildings, however, are old and too small for a growing community. And due to dwindling funds from Sacramento, the town's general fund next fiscal year could be $2.5 million less, which could impact services.
Much-needed rain will be arriving in the Bay Area this week, but a forecaster said Monday that it won't be enough to quell the region's drought worries.
Much-needed rain will be arriving in the Bay Area this week, but a forecaster said Monday that it won't be enough to quell the region's drought worries.
Much-needed rain will be arriving in the Bay Area this week, but a forecaster said Monday that it won't be enough to quell the region's drought worries.
Much-needed rain will be arriving in the Bay Area this week, but a forecaster said Monday that it won't be enough to quell the region's drought worries.
Much-needed rain will be arriving in the Bay Area this week, but a forecaster said Monday that it won't be enough to quell the region's drought worries.
Much-needed rain will be arriving in the Bay Area this week, but a forecaster said Monday that it won't be enough to quell the region's drought worries.
Much-needed rain will be arriving in the Bay Area this week, but a forecaster said Monday that it won't be enough to quell the region's drought worries.
Much-needed rain will be arriving in the Bay Area this week, but a forecaster said Monday that it won't be enough to quell the region's drought worries.
Much-needed rain will be arriving in the Bay Area this week, but a forecaster said Monday that it won't be enough to quell the region's drought worries.
Much-needed rain will be arriving in the Bay Area this week, but a forecaster said Monday that it won't be enough to quell the region's drought worries.
Much-needed rain will be arriving in the Bay Area this week, but a forecaster said Monday that it won't be enough to quell the region's drought worries.
Much-needed rain will be arriving in the Bay Area this week, but a forecaster said Monday that it won't be enough to quell the region's drought worries.
Much-needed rain will be arriving in the Bay Area this week, but a forecaster said Monday that it won't be enough to quell the region's drought worries.
Much-needed rain will be arriving in the Bay Area this week, but a forecaster said Monday that it won't be enough to quell the region's drought worries.
Expect delays on busy road beginning Monday, Feb. 3 through March 21 as utility upgrades aging gas infrastructure.
Notice left on the business' front door states a Mexican restaurant called 'Zona Rosa' will open soon at the location.
Orchard City shoppers will no longer receive plastic bags for groceries and other merchandise; public encouraged to use recycled paper bags for sale at a cost of 10 cents.
Support the Los Gatos High School music boosters' 'Music Matters' fundraiser going on now through Feb. 15; goal if for each family to donate $200.
Don't miss the Community Emergency Response Team training at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29 at the Campbell Community Center.
The following crime information was provided by the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno police. The incidents are for the period of Jan. 16-20, 2014.
