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Authorities are reminding residents that all fireworks that fly up in the air or explode are illegal in San Benito County, and warned that undercover officers will be out enforcing the law in Hollister this holiday weekend. The Hollister Police Department posted on social media...

During the ceremony to award California’s top high school rodeo queen on June 18 in Bishop, Rylee Roberts turned to her dad and said, “I can’t believe I’m getting crowned right now.” In a landslide victory, the incoming senior at Hollister High School won seven...

Aromas author Joyce Oroz’s latest novel, “Gone with the Winfield,” takes place in Hollister. This is the 13th installment of Oroz’s “Josephine Stuart Mystery Series.” The novels can be read in any order. The new book explores the parks, businesses and fictional people of Hollister. The...

Twin Oaks, a new resort-style gated community for active adults age 55 and older, will celebrate the grand opening of its new clubhouse, The Cannery Club, on July 9 in Hollister.  The Cannery Club is described in a press release as a “luxurious” clubhouse with...

On behalf of 80-plus volunteers from our grassroots group, Campaign to Protect San Benito, we’d like to send a huge “THANK YOU!” to the voters of San Benito County. With your help, we were able to collect 4,092 petition signatures and put our citizens’...

The famed Hollister Fourth of July motorcycle rally may not be happening this year, but it might return for 2023 if the voters say so in this November’s election. The Hollister City Council narrowly voted earlier this month to place an advisory measure on the...

Despite having only practiced once or twice together before the California High School Rodeo Association State Finals in Bishop June 13-18, Billy Aviles and Carson Jones finished as the runners-up in team roping. The performance earned them a spot in the National High School Rodeo...

Re: Officials certify initiative petition, Free Lance 6/17/22 Debate happens when both sides are convinced they have learned from the past. The signature gatherers are deeply motivated by the rapid housing growth impacting our roads, traffic and water. The oppositional side is concerned about needed...

The 2022 San Benito County Rodeo took place June 24-26 at Bolado Park Event Center in Tres Pinos. Festivities included bull riding, calf roping and equestrian competitions, along with art and tack vendors, wine and beer tasting, barbecue, live music and more. Free Lance photographer...

Emergency officials deal with a two-vehicle crash on Highway 129 at Old Chittenden Road Wednesday afternoon. California Highway Patrol officer Stephen Armfield said the male driver of a Honda Ridgeline pickup was traveling east on Highway 129 at 3:45pm near the San Benito/Santa Cruz...