State to close local Covid-19 test sites as reported cases decline
With Covid-19 numbers declining statewide, California’s public health officials continue to phase out now underutilized Covid-19 testing and treatment sites. That includes the Hollister OptumServe testing site, which is slated to close as of Feb. 23, according to San Benito County staff.
The local site...
Around Town: Hollister restaurant hosts holiday pet event
The aroma of good food and the purr of community spirit will come together as the Running Rooster Restaurant hosts a special fundraiser to support Cat Crew California, a nonprofit in San Benito County that focuses on capturing, fostering and finding homes for local...
South Valley Symphony seeks volunteers on stage and on the board
South Valley Symphony is seeking volunteers to perform and to serve on its nonprofit board of directors.
Musical talent is wanted on stage, with rehearsals starting Aug. 28 for the next SVS concert scheduled for Oct. 12. Violinists, violists, cellists and double bassists are especially...
Letter: Hospital should disclose details of expenses
Open letter to Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital Interim CEO Mary Casillas:
You are interim chief executive officer of the San Benito Health Care District, also known as Hazel Hawkins Hospital. It is a public entity, not your private company to spend funds without having to...
Photo: San Juan Bautista hosts arts, crafts, crowds
Dozens of vendors lined the downtown streets for the San Juan Bautista Art & Craft Festival on March 29-30. Booths offered a wide range of goods, including clothing, lotion, jewelry, perfumes, wood carvings, African baskets, ceramics, pillows, homemade pies, face painting, herbs and spices...
Hollister motorist arrested with illegal firearm
Hollister Police arrested a motorist on suspicion of multiple weapons violations following a traffic stop on Feb. 1.
About 2:47pm, a Hollister Police officer stopped a vehicle in the area of the 1300 block of Black Forest Drive. The vehicle had visible mechanical violations including...
Letter: A mystery theater at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital
Re: Hospital board appeals Chapter 9 bankruptcy, Free Lance 4/5/24
We have a mystery theater. The title is, "Who Killed the Hospital?” The time is now. The place is right here in Hollister.
Scenes: The hospital board meeting on the second floor of the Services Building....
Local Scene: Hollister students graduate from Stanislaus State
The following Hollister residents graduated from Stanislaus State’s Class of 2025, during commencement ceremonies held May 27-30: Ema Alfaro, bachelor of arts in sociology; Anessa Ocampo, master of social work.
“Commencement is a time of immense pride, not only for our graduates but for everyone...
Amid fears of ICE, farmers markets see mixed impact
On a normal Friday afternoon, the farmers market in downtown Watsonville—which draws vendors and customers from Hollister, Gilroy and beyond—is a bustling, joyous event, with gaggles of children playing in a bounce house and families happily in long lines to purchase fresh produce and...
Community Board: County sales tax idea rings true
All too often in San Benito County, local government leaders have tried to push property or parcel taxes to fund initiatives or deficits caused by irresponsible budgeting. An example was the Hollister School District’s failed 2011 attempt to pass a $96 parcel tax at the depths of its financial problems, with the special election costing local taxpayers close to $150,000.
