Letter: Study on wildfire’s health risks is a breath of fresh air
Last week the smaller print piece in the Free Lance side bar labeled “Local Scene” got my attention. The title “State to study cancer risk of fighting wildfires” had me opening the paper focused on further information. Everyone is interested in cancer risk.
Our surrounding...
Sex abuse, satanic rites described in charges against foster mom
A Gilroy day care operator stalked and sexually molested her foster child and engaged in Satanic rituals, according to allegations in documents reviewed by the Gilroy Dispatch.
Santa Clara County officials filed a July 31 criminal complaint that details the charges against Christina Jean Johnson,...
Gavilan College student workers begin unionizing
Student workers at Gavilan College are organizing what they say would be the first student workers union at a community college in California, aiming to address wage disparities and improve working conditions at their Gilroy and Hollister campuses, and inspire other students to follow...
HHS students commemorate 9-11
On the morning of Thursday, Sept. 11, Hollister FFA students continued the tradition of placing flags on Senior Mound to represent the lives lost on September 11, 2001. The recognition was a lunchtime ceremony in the main campus quad in commemoration of Patriot Day,...
Foundation inducts six into Baler Hall of Fame
The spirit of community and celebration was alive at Swank Farms on Sept. 6, as the Baler Education Foundation hosted its 18th annual Baler Fame Fest.
The event welcomed six new inductees into the Baler Hall of Fame, recognizing their professional achievements, community service and...
Balers lose to Wilcox to fall to 0-2 but stay positive
Two games into the 2025 football season and the Balers are 0-2. However, there have been many good signs and a lot of progress with new coaches and new schemes and the Balers are encouraged about the “new season,” i.e., league play, beginning Friday...
Hospital plans to expand women’s health services
Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital announced recently it will expand its service line of women’s health services by introducing new physicians to support care in San Benito County.
Dr. James Lilja recently joined the HHMH medical staff, adding the specialized field of gynecologic oncology to the...
Professor brings world films to South Valley every Wednesday
Every Wednesday at 2pm, Gavilan College professor Grant Richards welcomes community members to watch movies they typically can't see in local theaters.
Hosted at the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, his “Afternoon with Grant” series has screened about 640 films since its inception, drawing movie lovers...
Sports Roundup: Baler football travels to Wilcox; girls water polo beats Carmel and SLV
Hollister HS Football (0-1 overall)Recent results: Lost 42-28 vs. Branham
Upcoming games: 7pm Sept. 12 at Wilcox
NOTES: The Balers come off a bye week and head to Santa Clara to face the Chargers. Wilcox, trying to overcome graduations, has begun the year with a 41-10...
Letter: Bombs on the Middle East are not a clowning matter
Reading your piece (Sept. 5 Free Lance), “Clowns stage theatrical protest at bomb component facility” got my attention. I could visualize the glittery jackets and red noses and plungers but the point of the antics was no laughing matter.
Seriously, the point of the plungers...

















