Community

In a step toward building the first massive wind farms off California’s coast, three Assemblymembers on Feb. 12 proposed a $1 billion bond act to help pay for the expansion of ports. The bill, if approved, would place a bond before voters aimed at helping...

California’s funding from gas taxes will drop by nearly $6 billion in the next decade due to the state’s electric car rules and other climate programs, “likely resulting in a decline in highway conditions for drivers,” according to a new state analysis released Dec....

The latest results of the March 5 presidential primary election show that a total of 8,749 people voted in San Benito County. The vast majority of those—7,749 voters—cast their votes by mail, while 1,000 people voted in-person at county vote centers.  In local races, incumbents...

All four of Hollister’s primary winter sports teams qualified for the Central Coast Section playoffs. And the wrestling teams did well too, with the boys winning the Pacific Coast Athletic League title over Palma and others. The girls PCAL title went to Monterey, with...

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...

On May 20, approximately 200 students and parents attended the Hollister High School Robotics and Engineering College Signing Day Banquet, during which the robotics team's nine graduating seniors were honored. The team, once again, graduated 100% of its seniors, who took 90 combined Advanced...

The San Benito Health Care District (SBHCD) convened for a special meeting Aug. 7 to discuss the Letter of Intent sent by American Advanced Management (AAM) to Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital (HHMH) CEO Mary Casillas. The letter outlined AAM’s intent to enter into a...

For the first time in its 89-year history, the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo hosted a sellout crowd in the 3,000-plus seat Bolado Park arena, according to organizers.  The show and rodeo took place this past weekend, June 23-25, in Tres Pinos....

Mosquitoes that tested positive for the West Nile Virus have been found in a small unincorporated area of San Benito County, according to the county agricultural commissioner’s office.  Weather permitting, county officials are planning to treat the affected area on Oct. 3, starting about 7pm,...

In the coming days, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) faces elimination for the month of November, or it may be partially funded—moves that threaten to deepen food insecurity for millions of Americans, including many right here in Hollister. SNAP, formerly known as food...