Community

Local voters have chosen to slow the growth in San Benito County, opted for a new mayor and two new city council members in Hollister and delivered mixed views on their desired future for Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, according to the latest Nov. 5...

Re: City council postpones affordable housing ordinance, Free Lance May 12, 2023 A decision not to decide concerning a decisive issue is difficult to understand. This makes me think that Mia Casey might prefer to be mayor of a city like Monterey rather than of...

Police arrested a Sacramento-area man who allegedly vandalized a City of Hollister vehicle by using an explosive device, authorities said.  On July 5, Hollister Police responded to 375 Fourth Street on a report of vandalism to a city-owned vehicle, Hollister Police Department said in a...

We are pleased to extend a well-deserved congratulations to R.O. Hardin Elementary School, Rancho San Justo Middle School, Sunnyslope Elementary School and Calaveras School for the recent performance accomplishments of their students, teachers and administrators.  These schools all recently succeeded in exiting the state Additional...

The list of potential partners for Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital is down to two, with the future of the hospital and the San Benito Health Care District at a crossroads between a public and private option. At a special May 20 meeting of the district...

The interior Bay Area and Central Coast are under an excessive heat warning from Saturday morning to Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service. Highs of up to 110 degrees are expected in inland areas including Santa Rosa, Concord, Livermore and Gilroy. Coastal regions...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 11 signed multiple housing bills aimed at tackling the state’s lack of affordable housing and making it easier for tenants to rent a home in the first place.   Newsom signed a whopping 56 bills into law which he said...

Re: Opinion Page Cartoon, Free Lance, July 14 The Joe Heller cartoon on my favorite Free Lance page concerning a complex issue enlightened and entertained me. In one cartoon, it contained a whole strip explaining an issue difficult to understand. Beginning with: “It’s the hottest...

The Civil Grand Jury is an essential pillar of our democracy, acting as a crucial safeguard in maintaining transparency, efficiency and integrity within local government. By holding public officials and agencies accountable to the communities they serve, the Civil Grand Jury, composed of dedicated...

Krystal Lomanto, County Superintendent of Schools hosted the county’s first Literacy Summit on Jan. 25 at the Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Hollister.  SBCOE Director of Curriculum & Instruction and Equity & Access, Mai Cruz, coordinated the event, which featured nationally renowned speaker and educator,...