Community

Praise be to the gods of pizza and pasta, and wine. Fridays and Saturdays have already become legend at Little Uvas and DeRose Vineyards on Fitzgerald Avenue in San Martin, where the hospitality flows like wine, and the woodfired pizza oven turns out pies...

Gavilan College aims to boost student enrollment even more with Rock and Enroll Day on Aug. 2.  The event, scheduled for 9am-2pm, is designed to help new and continuing students to prepare for the fall semester by providing access to key services in a single...

A group of San Benito County residents calling themselves the “Public Safety First” committee is seeking to recall two supervisors less than a year after they were sworn in for office.  The group recently began circulating petitions throughout the county to recall District 2 Supervisor...

Re: County leaders show support, Free Lance 6/27/25 Never before has this decision by our sheriff, Eric Taylor, in union with our neighboring counties been importantly decisive.  “The direction to my staff is that hardworking migrants …must be left alone.” Because law is about being human; that...

The Hollister Police Department is investigating a recent drive-by shooting that resulted in a 15-year-old boy suffering injuries.  On July 4, Hollister Police officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of San Benito Street following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered a 15-year-old male...

Athletic teams at local junior colleges Gavilan and Hartnell are often mostly populated by student-athletes from a cross-section of local high schools. The JCs provide a continuing avenue for education and athletics for many, and a large number look to move on to four-year...

The roar of motorcycles filled the air in downtown Hollister Saturday on day two of the 2025 Independence Rally. Thousands of motorcyclists, enthusiasts and curious onlookers packed downtown for motorcycle cruise-ins, live entertainment, beer gardens, food and merchandise vendors. Sponsored by the City of Hollister...

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...

It’s that time of year when cherries are ripening and families from throughout the region enjoy a stroll through the orchards selecting their favorite types. At Fairhaven Orchards in Hollister, the Rajkovich family owned business has operated for more than 75 years and proudly continues...

Thousands of local residents and visitors enjoyed a sunny weekend in celebration of the 91st San Benito County Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo.  The three-day rodeo took place at Bolado Park Event Center in Tres Pinos, and featured a full slate of popular local traditions,...