Community

The Superior Court of San Bentio County is seeking applications from those who want to be a member of the San Benito County Civil Grand Jury. The civil grand jury is an historic institution and serves an important role in local society, says a...

Agreement on a new fire protection contract last week means local residents can rest assured they will continue to have high-level safety services into the future. This was a monumental win for our community.  This agreement marked the end of a collective process to extend...

The Gavilan College Theatre Arts Department will present “House of Desires,” a witty romantic comedy filled with mistaken identities and physical humor, over two upcoming weekends starting May 9-10. Written by Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, “House of Desires” is considered the first published...

City of Hollister and San Benito County authorities this week completed a cleanup of the San Benito River that resulted in the removal of tons of garbage and debris, including vehicles, mattresses, shopping carts and a boat.  The riverbed had become a site of illegal...

There are moments in life that don’t announce themselves with fanfare or ceremony. They arrive quietly, leaving behind a memory that settles into your bones.  Nine of us taking an early morning walk Saturday, July 19 to scatter Marty Cheek’s ashes at Henry Coe State...

With September comes the end of summer and with that comes the final Hollister Concert of 2025. Set amidst the stunning foothills and vibrant vineyards of Guerra Cellars in Hollister, the concert series is an unforgettable lineup of music, community and celebration under the...

Re: International film fest returns to SBC, Free Lance, April 4, 2025 If I could I would make a film about our hospital from the last century to this one for the Poppy Jasper Film Festival. The film might begin with a horse-drawn cart ramble...

Bruce John Bannister, a local pastor who had a major impact on hundreds of lives, died June 9, at the age of 73 surrounded by family after a lengthy battle with cancer, his wife Dori told us.Bruce was born in San Jose on May...

The Community Foundation for San Benito County recently hired Shannon Chastaine as its new Director of Development and Donor Services. With a career dedicated to fostering relationships, advancing meaningful causes and aligning donor passions with impactful giving, Chastaine brings a wealth of experience and...

The agricultural stretch of California’s Central Coast along the Salinas Valley is often called the “Salad Bowl of the World,” and for good reason. It supplies more than 60% of the nation’s lettuce and substantial portions of strawberries, spinach and broccoli.  But beyond the fertile...