News Briefs
ScanSoft to close Los Gatos plant
Massachusetts-based software company ScanSoft Inc. will close its Los Gatos plant before the end of the year, eliminating 70 jobs. Citing declining scanner sales, ScanSoft is transferring the work from the Los Gatos office to Budapest, Hungary, where 43 software engineers are already working.
The layoffs will effect approximately 20 percent of ScanSoft's workforce, mostly in Los Gatos.
Local man saves Alma Fire Station
Brian Hinman, chief executive officer of 2Wire Inc., is paying $1.6 million to buy the four-acre parcel on which the California Department of Forestry's Alma Fire Station is located.
The station property, owned by the Oregon-based McDougal Brothers, would have lost its lease in April. Despite efforts by CDF and local lawmakers, it appeared unlikely the state would pay what the landowners were demanding for the property. The situation sent many mountain residents--who rely on the station and its helicopter as their first line of fire defense--into a panic.
Hinman, who lives in downtown Los Gatos, has asked that he be allowed to use the base from which to fly his own personal helicopter. He plans on giving the land to the state, and would also make his helicopter available for firefighting efforts.
Fiesta de Artes on the way to town
Fiesta de Artes, Los Gatos' only annual art and wine festival, will invade the Civic Center grounds on Aug. 12 and 13.
Sponsored by the Los Gatos Kiwanis Club to benefit local charities, the festivities will feature two days of music, art, food and libations. present.
For more information, call 408.395.8016.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
