Community

The rainy winter has been good for reservoir levels and surface water supplies, but a number of important factors remain unknown before authorities are willing to declare an end to the statewide drought.  These factors include San Benito County’s pending allocation of imported water from...

Californians accused of certain drug and retail theft crimes may already be facing stiffer penalties under an initiative voters passed this year, alongside related bills Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law.  Voters this November overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36, which both modifies and adds key changes...

More than three years after the Covid-19 pandemic began, San Benito County Health & Human Services Agency and Public Health Services are adopting the California Department of Public Health’s updated guidelines—including reduced isolation and quarantine for infected people and the elimination of all public...

Seventeen Hollister High School seniors received medals at a recognition luncheon last week to honor the fact that they had perfect attendance throughout all four years on campus. Not all students were available during the lunchtime event, but the five present received a welcome...

The Hollister boys volleyball team closed the regular season with a gut-check win April 30 over on the coast at Seaside, beating the Spartans 11-25, 26-24, 25-12, 25-18. The victory gave the Balers a third consecutive solid season with a 21-15 overall record, and...

The Board of Directors of the San Benito Health Care District, which oversees Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, will decide whether to file a Chapter 9 bankruptcy case at the next board meeting at 5pm May 22.  The agenda item and supporting documentation were noticed to...

The San Benito County Planning Commission held a scoping meeting Aug. 2 for the proposed Ranch 35 Quarry project near the intersection of State Route 156 and U.S. 101. The meeting’s purpose was to inform the public about the scope of the quarry project...

The little Drummer Boy tunefully beats a rhythm to find the true spirit of Christmas. But like or unlike the little drummer boy, I’m wondering if the mayor’s year-long gifts are in the true spirit of Christmas. True giving is giving without expecting a...

Police are asking for help from the public to identify the suspect or suspects who “severely damaged” a Hollister apartment complex by setting off an illegal fireworks explosion on Independence Day, authorities said.  The Hollister Police Department announced on July 13 that the city is...