Community

Who’s up and who’s down? When the news broke late Nov. 21 that new Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas picked new committee chairpersons and canned others, the Sacramento political sphere was immediately abuzz with talk of winners and losers. The winners include Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, the Davis...

The Superior Court of San Benito County is seeking community-oriented individuals to serve on the 2026-2027 Civil Grand Jury.  Applications for serving on the civil grand jury are available now on the court’s website (sanbenito.courts.ca.gov/civil-grand-jury) and county residents are encouraged to apply for the role,...

Police arrested two people May 25 who were uncooperative—and in one case, violent—with officers who responded to multiple noise complaints throughout the evening at a party at a home in Hollister, authorities said.  About 8pm May 25, Hollister Police responded to a residence on the...

Amid fears and recent reports of federal immigration authorities targeting undocumented immigrants in local communities, law enforcement leaders and public officials throughout the South Valley have attempted to reassure their communities that residents are safe from local action.  Sheriffs throughout California have pledged to support...

The gang (of ex-politicians) that couldn’t shoot straight behind the recall of County Supervisor Ignacio Velazquez is at it again. They are going after Supervisor Kollin Kosmicki.  Their first attempt failed because they didn’t or couldn’t read the simple rules governing recall petitions. Based on...

Authorities have zeroed in on a suspect. File photo.

Re: Hospital board appeals Chapter 9 bankruptcy, Free Lance 4/5/24 We have a mystery theater. The title is, "Who Killed the Hospital?” The time is now. The place is right here in Hollister.  Scenes: The hospital board meeting on the second floor of the Services Building....

Re: Hospital receives LOI from a fourth suitor, Free Lance 2/2/24 A jigsaw puzzle can be challenging and satisfying. Different smooth or angular shapes can take a great deal of thought while examining some pieces with rounded peninsulas while contemplating other pieces with rounded bays...

Sen. Anna Caballero will continue to represent San Benito County and the Salinas Valley for the next two years until a new senator assumes the district, the Senate Rules Committee announced last week. Every 10 years a neutral committee completes the redistricting process based on...

San Benito County District 5 Supervisor Ignacio Velazquez is on the verge of being recalled, with “yes” votes narrowly leading the tally in response to the ballot question in the June 2 election.  In other local races on the statewide primary ballot, other incumbents built...