Community

March 8 marked San Benito County Office of Education's Annual STEAM Expo. The Expo celebrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math—and gives students across the county the opportunity to enter science projects, STEAM projects, inventions and artwork, says a press release from SBCOE.  Visitors were...

The State Coastal Conservancy earlier this summer approved $758,000 to fund a San Benito Wildfire Regional Prioritization Plan, says a press release from the University of California Cooperative Extension.  Widespread collaboration across the county, as well as in neighboring counties, will result in a plan...

When the children of Disney’s most notorious villains get a chance at redemption, romance blooms between sworn enemies in South Valley Civic Theatre’s production of “Disney’s Descendants, The Musical,” opening Oct. 3 at the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse. The ambitious production features a “record” 120...

San Benito Stage Company’s family summer musical brings the local production of “Matilda” to Hollister audiences starting on July 12, running on select dates through July 27 at the Hollister High School Auditorium.  “Matilda” tells the story of Matilda Wormwood, a bright, curious little girl...

Southwest Hollister residents often bring their vegetable scraps to a neighbor who raises goats, turkeys, chickens and ducks. They will come waddling up to the fence when people walk by expecting to get some delicious treats. Southwest Hollister residents often bring their vegetable scraps...

An armed carjacker led police on a pursuit through two counties and exchanged gunfire with officers in multiple locations, including Hollister, before he was shot dead by authorities in San Jose, according to the Hollister Police Department.  About 3pm Jan. 21, Hollister Police and San...

Re: “Medi-Cal not the solution to expand healthcare,” Free Lance, March 29. What have we learned from the pandemic, or are we in another pandemic? The symptoms seem to be having a hunger when we are not hungry. These symptoms are not like body obesity...

Days after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis, Californians across the state took to the streets to voice their opposition against federal immigration enforcement tactics and President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign. Over the weekend thousands...

On a recent morning, Rancho Santana School art teacher Stephanie Skow marveled at the work of her students in advance of the San Benito County Arts Showcase coming April 9 at the Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Hollister.  Skow showed artwork from all of the...

Ballots and voting information packets for the Nov. 4 special statewide election are in the mail for San Benito County’s 37,000-plus registered voters.  Early voting started Oct. 6. Voters can begin casting their ballots by mail; 24-hour drop box; or in person at one of...