Community

Hollister Dual Language Academy is building on nearly two decades of success by solidifying a plan that will provide a framework for the dual-immersion school going forward.  With support from the Hollister School District, the HDLA community is working with a consultant to develop a...

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the scent of roses hangs thick in the air at a local flower shop, where the busiest season of the year is in full bloom. Inside Barone’s Westlakes Balloons and Gifts workspace, buckets of fresh-cut flowers line the walls—long-stemmed red roses,...

Accelerated Achievement Academy’s Desaray Azevedo achieved a major honor for regional music students and she did it for the second time in three years.  Azevedo was named to the Central Coast Honor Band and participated in the annual concert at Washington Middle School in Salinas...

Walk into any classroom in San Benito County today and you’ll see more than textbooks and worksheets. You’ll see students coding simple programs, building bridges from craft sticks, experimenting with sound and light and using creativity to solve real problems.  That’s STEAM in action—science, technology,...

The San Benito County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Hollister Prep School teacher on suspicion of possession of child pornography, authorities announced on Feb. 13.  Rory Dickson is being held on felony charges at San Benito County Jail without bail, the sheriff’s office said. School...

It seems the buzzword captivating Americans these days is “affordability.” Yet everywhere you go in California, prices still seem to be increasing. We’re all seeking relief from the high costs of living, with no end in sight.  This trend is already being compounded by a...

Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital has expanded its Women's Health Services by introducing Katherine Volpe, MD, to support women’s health in San Benito County. Dr. Volpe recently joined the HHMH medical staff, adding the specialized field of Urogynecology or “female urology” which treats disorders of the...

The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce announced this week that Christina Reyes is named the new interim chief executive officer.  Reyes was appointed unanimously by the chamber board of directors. The chamber said in an announcement that Reyes’ appointment marks an “exciting new chapter”...

The Gilroy Garlic Queen pageant is back for 2026, following a seven-year hiatus.  Online applications are currently being accepted for the pageant, which will take place April 19. The deadline to enter the pageant is 4pm March 16.  To apply for the 2026 Gilroy Garlic Queen...

Longtime director of the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival Mattie Scariot was recently appointed as Interim Executive Director of Community Media Access Partnership (CMAP TV).  Scariot began her new role Feb. 3, and will lead the organization during a period of transition while focusing on...