Community

This week (Free Lance, Sept. 4 edition) Joe Heller’s opinion page cartoon seems vacant as it depicts a multi-labeled coat simply identified as “Dolly” hung on a hollow space. However that emptiness immediately filled with visions of radiant smiles, pompadour blonde hair rhythmically motioned...

Gavilan College is working toward launching men’s and women’s wrestling programs, with the goal of beginning competition in 2027. Fundraising efforts have already been put into motion by the nonprofit Gavilan College Foundation.  A statement from Gavilan College noted that wrestling has deep roots throughout...

A Monterey County jury this week found a 21-year-old man guilty of first degree murder for killing Jonothan Maciel, 19, of Hollister in 2021, according to authorities.  Skyler Narcecio Barriga, of Salinas, was also convicted of robbery and the use of a gun, the Monterey...

The Hollister football team continued 2025’s late-season momentum with a superb performance in the Aug. 28 season opener, drilling Soledad 17-6.  The Balers dominated on offense behind new quarterback Eli Lovejoy and a trio of wide receivers and the defense shined all night. Additional credit...

The slate of candidates is set. The campaign signs will soon be everywhere, mailboxes will fill with political mailers and candidates will be making their cases to voters. Now it’s our turn. Voting is one of the most important responsibilities we have as citizens, yet it...

Sixteen new homes are set to open in Hollister, providing permanent and transitional housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in San Benito County. The Southside Haven Community Housing Project will hold a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30am Sept. 8 at 3235 Southside...

The Superior Court of San Benito County has launched a new jury management system designed to make jury service more convenient for residents and improve the court’s ability to manage juror participation. The Enterprise Jury Management system gives jurors expanded self-service options through a secure...

Dymphna (DJ) William’s Guest View on the library deftly exposes the rich value a library offers to the community. Food for the soul comes from the library. The library sets the table with a smorgasbord of infinite variety. If an adequate smorgasbord includes a dish...

Porches, yards and patios across San Juan Bautista became stages Aug. 29 as Play Music on the Porch SJB returned for its third year.  This year’s event—which featured more than a dozen intimate live performances by local musicians on a walking tour through town—drew its...

A day on the green goes hilariously wrong in “The Fox on the Fairway,” Ken Ludwig’s golf-course farce opening Aug. 28 at Pintello Comedy Theater. The play pits two rival country clubs against each other in a high-stakes tournament after one club’s leader poaches the...