Community

The number of reported hate crimes in California decreased slightly from 2022 to 2023, but those against Jewish, Muslim and LGBTQ+ people rose over the same period, according to the annual hate crime report from California Attorney General Rob Bonta.  The number of hate crimes...

Join symphony board The nonprofit South Valley Symphony is seeking volunteers to serve on its board of directors. Applicants should have a strong interest in helping to shape the symphony’s activities in coming years and becoming a part of the organization’s long standing traditions.  The board...

To celebrate Earth Day, Performance Food Group on April 22 held an open house event in Gilroy to show how they have created a sustainable distribution model at the company’s local facility. In collaboration with a number of vendors in the transportation and distribution industries,...

The California Department of Public Health is urging Californians to get immunized against a triple-threat of viruses that are expected to surge in the coming months.  Rates of Covid-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, are expected to spike in the late fall and...

Tenants in California will have twice as much time to respond to eviction notices and potentially avoid losing their homes under a bill signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 24. The new law comes amid a statewide housing crisis, and after a...

With a great deal of interest I read, “Primary ballot includes county offices.” It seems as though our Registrar of Voters has mounted a decent defense because he is under attack by some with accusations of “a rigged system.”   Our looming March 5 election has...

Re: Local turnout exceeds 64% in Nov. 5 election, Free Lance Nov. 15, 2024 We must think like detectives solving mysteries similar to Sherlock Holmes. Many times the person who looks most innocent is a killer. Confusing ballot measures concerning the future of Hazel Hawkins...

Adopt a pet for free June 1 People across California will be able to adopt a pet for free June 1 during the state’s inaugural Adopt-a-Pet Day.  The California Animal Welfare Association (CalAnimals), the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the...

San Benito County recently received grant funds to create a local program aimed at reducing the frequency of illegal mattress dumping.  The $52,000 grant is from the Mattress Recycling Council, says a press release from San Benito County. Specifically, the grant will help fund the...

Police arrested three people in Hollister on suspicion of multiple felonies after an investigation into robbery and mail theft, police said.  About 2:35am Dec. 7, Hollister Police responded to a report of a Hollister resident who noticed three men sealing mail from a community mailbox,...