Community

Hollister Police Animal Care and Services recently located and have taken custody of three dogs they think are responsible for a series of attacks on local cats, according to authorities.  On Aug. 13, police received a report of a dead cat in the area of...

The San Benito County Arts Council is seeking applications for its 2023 Arts Express Grant Program.  The goal of the Arts Express Grant Program is to promote artistic and cultural engagement, accessibility, equity and diversity in San Benito County. Local artists, art groups, arts and...

The Hollister City Council voted Aug. 21 to partner with Flock Safety to provide gunshot detection and license plate reading cameras for a roughly one square mile area of Hollister.  The council gave Mayor Mia Casey the green light to sign a two-year contract with...

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Aug. 24 announced $300 million worth of zero-interest loans for struggling hospitals, including Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital which will receive $10 million from the program.  The Hollister hospital, which declared bankruptcy earlier this year, will receive the funds in the coming...

Planning and Saving for College The Community Foundation for San Benito County will host a financial education workshop on “Planning and Saving for College” on Sept. 27 at the Epicenter conference room, 440 San Benito Street in Hollister. Two sessions will take place, 11:30am-1pm and...

As a retired Registered Nurse (R.N.), I read with great dismay the letter to the Free Lance by Louis Wilmington dated Aug. 11.  Wilmington stated that the financial crisis at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital can be “traced back nearly two decades of questionable management and...

Anzar High football head coach Greg Brazil has high hopes to break expectations this upcoming season because for better or worse—usually for worse—they have always had a reputation in the Pacific Coast Athletic League as the low man on the totem pole. Some would even...

The Las Vegas-based, family-owned traveling Circus Alegria entertained audiences in Hollister last week with classic big-top performances, animatronic dinosaurs and a 50-foot mechanical gorilla.  The circus stopped at Bolado Park in Tres Pinos for five nights of performances.  “It was really nice,” said Valentina Alegria, who...

Three California hospitals that declared bankruptcy earlier this year are hashing out deals that could bring back or save much-needed health care services for their communities.  Defunct Madera Community Hospital in the San Joaquin Valley, cash-strapped Beverly Community Hospital east of Los Angeles and Hazel...

The Hollister Agricultural and FFA (Future Farmers of America) program has been making waves with its outstanding achievements, student recognition and commitment to agricultural education and sustainability. The program’s success can be attributed to the dedication of its educators, the collaboration with the community...