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...
Letter: Assembly Bill 84 is a step backward for students and families
As a mom of two kids and a passionate advocate for educational choice, I’m deeply concerned about the potential impact of Assembly Bill 84 (AB 84) on students and families along the Highway 101 corridor. This bill, if passed, would deal a devastating blow...
Letter: Changing the rules is unfair
Re: Changing Rules & Cherry Picking Free Lance, July 4, 2025
Most people like to play Monopoly. It is a fun way to learn about the economy. One thing we learn is to stay out of jail. Jail happens when we land on the Jail...
Guest view: Food security is critical to economic and national security on Central Coast
The agricultural stretch of California’s Central Coast along the Salinas Valley is often called the “Salad Bowl of the World,” and for good reason. It supplies more than 60% of the nation’s lettuce and substantial portions of strawberries, spinach and broccoli.
But beyond the fertile...
Martha’s Kitchen expands food service to San Benito County
Martha’s Kitchen served a large turnout for their inaugural senior lunch service July 1 at the Pauline Valdivia Memorial Community Center.
With multiple City of Hollister and San Benito County representatives in attendance, Executive Director Bill Lee addressed the crowd.
“Food is just a part of...
San Benito County residents eligible for electric vehicle incentives
Incentives up to $5,000 are available for San Benito County residents who purchase or lease a new or used electric or hybrid vehicle.
The 2025-26 Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (EVIP) was launched July 1 by the Monterey Bay Air Resources District. Residents of Monterey and...
A little pasta, a lotta fun at Little Uvas
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 event offers free services for students, enrollees
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...
Group circulates petition to recall two San Benito County supervisors
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...
Letter: Community must stick together to survive
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...
