The following events, organizations and people deserve either a
Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down this week:
THUMBS UP: Just one year removed from a winless season, the San Benito High School girls soccer team clinched a share of the Tri-County Athletic League championship this week with a come-from-behind victory over Salinas. The team ended regular season play with an 8-3-1 record, tied for first with arch-rival Gilroy. Good luck to the Balers in the CCS playoffs.
THUMBS DOWN: A Hollister family who police say was victimized by a scam artist saw their home go into foreclosure even though they had faithfully made their payments. The Spanish-speaking family was approached last summer by a woman who offered to refinance their home. After paying $2,100 in up-front fees, the family made regular cash payments totaling $9,600 before getting hit with a foreclosure notice. Diana Marie Lozano, 36, of Hollister, has pleaded not guilty to felony fraud charges in connection with the case.
THUMBS UP: The town of San Juan Bautista has been named a “Preserve America” community in recognition of its historic preservation efforts. San Juan Bautista joins Monterey, Santa Rosa and nine other cities and neighborhoods in California that have earned the designation. City Manager Jan McClintock said the city is now eligible to apply for special federal funding that could pay for restoration of some of its historic structures.
THUMBS DOWN: Although enrollment at San Benito High School was up, the percentage of enrolled students in attendance daily was down during fall semester, according to state Average Daily Attendance figures released this week. Students who don’t go to school miss the opportunity to learn and the school misses out on money because the state’s funding formula for local schools is tied to daily attendance figures.
THUMBS UP: Blane Strohn of Paicines has been named co-captain of the California Wrangler All-State Rodeo Team. The 13-year-old eighth-grader made it to the National High School Rodeo Association finals last year in New Mexico and the calf roper aims to return again this year.
THUMBS UP: After Elizabeth and Jeremy Dirks’ home was burglarized in January, they made a point of introducing themselves to their Somme Avenue neighbors and suggesting they all keep an eye out for each other. This week, neighbors noticed something suspicious at the Dirks’ house while the couple was away. While one neighbor called 911, two others helped apprehend a man whom police arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary.
