Community

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...

A 31-year-old Hollister woman suffered major injuries in a head-on crash on Highway 129 in Santa Cruz County east of Watsonville early Wednesday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol. The crash was reported at about 5:40am Aug. 23 on Highway 129 east of Murphy...

A driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI after rear-ending another car on Highway 25, resulting in a three-vehicle collision Aug. 17, according to the California Highway Patrol. About 12:33am Aug. 17, a silver Honda Accord was traveling south on Highway 25, just north of...

Hollister Police are investigating a shooting that left an adult victim gravely wounded over the weekend, authorities said.  No suspect or suspects have been arrested in the shooting, to which officers responded at about 8:30pm Aug. 19 on the 600 block of Seventh Street, according...