Hollister, county, SJB finally agree on fire contract
After months of fraught negotiations, San Benito County and the City of San Juan Bautista have finally come to an agreement on fire and emergency medical services with the City of Hollister.
The board of supervisors approved the county’s side of the contract for fire...
Highway interchange construction is under way
Crews are pictured June 13 moving dirt on the west side of the interchange of Highway 101 and State Route 25 in south Gilroy. Construction began earlier this month on the long planned new interchange project, which is designed to ease congestion, improve safety...
Hollister family displaced by house fire
A family of three, along with their three dogs and three cats, are displaced after their home caught on fire west of downtown Hollister the morning of June 12.
Shyliene Days, who owns the now heavily damaged home with her husband Allan, said nobody was...
Chamber of Commerce announces annual award winners
The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and Foundation will honor local people, businesses and organizations Sept. 20 at their 104th annual Awards Dinner.
The purpose of the “Man and Woman of the Year” awards is to recognize residents of San Benito County who serve...
Community Foundation welcomes Shannon Chastaine
The Community Foundation for San Benito County recently hired Shannon Chastaine as its new Director of Development and Donor Services. With a career dedicated to fostering relationships, advancing meaningful causes and aligning donor passions with impactful giving, Chastaine brings a wealth of experience and...
Hundreds protest on ‘No Kings Day’ in Hollister
Millions of people in cities and towns throughout the nation joined the “No Kings” protest on June 14—a crowd that included several hundred protesters in southeast Hollister.
The event was organized in 2,000 cities in the U.S. to protest President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, and...
Around Town: PJIFF welcomes two new board members as it celebrates 20 years
Mattie Scariot, Director of the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival, said she was thrilled to announce the appointment of Jon Fitzgerald and Tasja Kirkwood to the PJIFF Board of Directors during a milestone year—its 20th anniversary. Their appointments bring an exciting blend of industry...
Gavilan awards $20k scholarship to Gurleen Khajuria
Gurleen Khajuria, a Gavilan College STEM tutor and aspiring materials scientist, has been awarded the 2025 Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Scholarship.
The $20,000 award supports community college students transferring to UC Santa Cruz who have shown exceptional academic achievement, leadership and commitment to service.
Gavilan...
Letter: ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ could have severe consequences for local healthcare
As the U.S. Senate debates the sweeping legislation known as the “Big Beautiful Bill,” it’s worth asking a critical question: who really pays the price for political ambition? For rural communities like ours in San Benito County, the answer may hit closer to home...
Local Scene: Art exhibit, USGA qualifying in San Juan Bautista
SJB art exhibit celebrates iconic Route 66
A new art exhibit, “Painting Route 66: An Artist Road Trip,” will open in San Juan Bautista with a June 21 reception from 5-7pm. The exhibit will remain open to the public through Aug. 10.
The exhibit and reception...


















