South Valley farm maintains Halloween fall tradition
Squeals of laughter and the scent of hay filled the air as children raced through the corn maze, picked out pumpkins nearly as big as they were, and enjoyed rides at the annual fall festival at Swank Farms—a beloved South Valley tradition marking the...
Editorial: Helping families heal after tragedy must be a community priority
When someone in our community is murdered, the pain reaches beyond the victim. It devastates families, close friends, neighbors and often the entire town. In the wake of such violence, our attention tends to focus on the police investigation or the court case. But...
Hollister Fire Department marks 150 years with Oct. 18 celebration
To commemorate its 150th anniversary, the Hollister Fire Department invites the public to a celebratory event during Fire Prevention Month on Oct. 18. Held ahead of the December anniversary date, the event provides an opportunity for the community to join in honoring the department’s...
Community Foundation of San Benito County names Kartashov as CEO
The Community Foundation for San Benito County this week announced the board of directors has appointed Cassandra Kartashov as the organization’s new chief executive officer. Kartashov will begin her new role Nov. 17.
With more than 15 years of experience in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership,...
Guest View: Vote Yes on Prop 50 to ensure your vote is counted
In the upcoming special election on Nov. 4, voters are going to see a new measure, Proposition 50. By a vote of the majority, California voters will decide if temporary changes to our congressional district maps should be authorized.
This would allow the legislature, members...
Sports Roundup: Hollister volleyball at 4-4 overall
Hollister HS Football (1-2 overall, 1-0 PCAL Gabilan)
Recent results: Won 44-40 at Alisal
Upcoming games: 7:30pm Sept. 26 vs. North Salinas
NOTES: Quarterback Cruz Raquet accounted for five touchdowns and led the Balers to the winning come-from-behind score with just two seconds remaining in the game.
Hollister...
Letter: Growing divide is unethical
Re: Hellertoon, Free Lance, May 30
This political cartoon coloring the Opinion page amazed me of how skillful art can deftly explain what caused an all night session of congressional words in the House to accomplish.
At first glance of the Joe Heller cartoon, it seemed...
Letter: Bombs on the Middle East are not a clowning matter
Reading your piece (Sept. 5 Free Lance), “Clowns stage theatrical protest at bomb component facility” got my attention. I could visualize the glittery jackets and red noses and plungers but the point of the antics was no laughing matter.
Seriously, the point of the plungers...
County Ed. Assistant Supe honored by Filipina Women’s Network
Gwendolyn Baquiran, San Benito County Office of Education’s Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, has been selected to receive the Filipina Women’s Network’s 2025 Most Influential Filipina Women of the World Award in the category of “Innovator & Thought Leader; Pioneer of Progress.”
Chosen from a...
Gavilan College student workers begin unionizing
Student workers at Gavilan College are organizing what they say would be the first student workers union at a community college in California, aiming to address wage disparities and improve working conditions at their Gilroy and Hollister campuses, and inspire other students to follow...
