Community

As of Dec. 4, the Bureau of Land Management Central Coast Field Office has lifted fire restrictions for about 300,000 acres of public land in San Benito and other counties, due to the season’s reduced likelihood of wildfires.  Recreational target shooting and campfires are now...

Police arrested a suspect in Watsonville who was involved in a Dec. 4 shooting in Hollister, according to authorities.  The shooting at 5:21pm on the 800 block of Westside Boulevard did not result in major injuries, Hollister Police said in a press release. Officers responded...

Six Grinches sit on the Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital Board; one leads as HHMH CEO. These grinches have sad faces because they are worried, upset and frankly grouchy.  A hospital board member does not have an easy job. That person must read and think a...

For many, the San Benito Oriana Chorale’s holiday concerts are the kick-off to the Christmas season. “It sets the tone for a beautiful Christmas season,” said Director Rachel Romina. “This traditionally is the launching pad of Christmas. It’s going to be phenomenal.”  But for the past...

Hollister girls basketball is on a roll and they want it to continue. The Balers had hit a bit of a dry spell since the league championship team of 2007-08, but that has changed. “The last two years, we split for the league title with...

What former San Benito County Supervisor Anthony Botelho did was wrong (“DA will not charge Botelho in case of missing sign,” Nov. 24 Hollister Free Lance) and there should be consequences, and because he is a “spokesperson” for the development company they should also...

Investigate Botelho, Strada Verde I am very concerned by recent reports that former Supervisor Anthony Botelho was caught pulling down signs alerting citizens to the negative impact of the proposed Strada Verde development. I understand that there have been no charges against him for those...

Avian influenza, a “highly pathogenic” viral disease that infects poultry and birds—and is potentially transmissible to humans—has been detected in San Benito County, according to local public health officials.  The disease, also known as “bird flu,” was found recently in poultry flocks in a number...

The San Benito County Office of Education partnered with San Benito County Behavioral Health, San Benito County Public Health, Youth Recovery Connections, motivational speaker Tony Hoffman and Sean Haggett from WonderWoofs during Red Ribbon Week, which took place Oct. 23-27. Red Ribbon Week is held...

It’s hard to find a job fighting climate change, oddly. But the organic farming industry is one place where a person can make a living making a difference.  Food systems account for 20% to 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to data from the...