South Valley Civic Theater unveils 2025-26 season
South Valley Civic Theater has unveiled an ambitious lineup for its upcoming 2025-26 season, featuring productions ranging from Tony Award-winning musicals to adaptations of popular Disney movies.
The season announcement came during the theater's annual membership event, where SVCT President Peter Mandel emphasized the organization's...
Sports Roundup: Baler track shines at Garlic Invitational
Hollister track and field sparkled at the Garlic Classic Track Invitational at Christopher High in Gilroy on March 22. The Baler boys won the team title with 91.5 points and the girls were second on their side, totaling 84 points.
Top performances on the girls...
Amah Mutsun Land Trust names new director
The Amah Mutsun Land Trust board of directors appointed Noelle Chambers as its new executive director.
Chambers is the former Vice President of Conservation at Peninsula Open Space Trust, where she worked for 20 years and helped execute the successful protection and transfer of 30,000...
Health officials urge public to vaccinate against measles
With the recent rise of measles cases in areas across the U.S., Bay Area health officials are urging everyone to get the measles vaccination if they are not sure if they have been vaccinated, or if they did not have measles as a child....
First 5 San Benito searches for new executive director
First 5 San Benito has announced the launch of a nationwide search to succeed Executive Director Lisa Faulkner, according to San Benito County staff. First 5 promotes the health, early learning and social-emotional well being of children prenatal through age 5 with strategic investments...
Letter: Close call at HHMH
Re: Hospital law enforcement thwart ransom ware attempt, Free Lance, March 14, 2025
That was a close call! Not when the cat resting under the car wheel dashed off warned by the starter grind when the key turned. It was not then. Not when the...
Baler Hernandez competes for chance at soccer history
El Salvador’s U-17 women’s soccer team is competing in a few weeks for a chance at history, the country’s first-ever World Cup bid on the women’s side. With Hollister High junior Elyssa Hernandez starting at center back, the team roared through Concacaf Round One...
HSD art teacher overjoyed to brighten young students’ days
Whether it’s the positive feedback or soothing music in the background, there’s a calming vibe in Janet Carlen’s classrooms.
Carlen teaches TK through first-grade students at Sunnyslope and Cerra Vista Elementary Schools. While she has taught for a decade, Carlen joined the Hollister School District...
Pajaro watershed focus of regional climate talk
About 80 people gathered March 10 in the historic Aromas Community Grange after the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) selected the Pajaro River Watershed as one of five watersheds to pilot the Watershed Resilience Program.
The initiative, which is supported by a $2 million...
Union Bridge opens to traffic Thursday
The new Union Bridge, years in the making, opens Thursday, March 20 to traffic, bicycles and pedestrians.
The infrastructure project represents a major improvement to the local transportation system, enhancing safety and mobility for residents and visitors.
“This project addresses long-standing traffic concerns in our growing...