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Less than two months after the voters decided to remove him from office, former San Benito County Supervisor Ignacio Velazquez has thrown his hat in the ring to run again for the now vacant District 5 seat from which he was recalled in the...

There are certain events that become part of your life without you ever realizing it. They mark the seasons, become family traditions and, over time, become part of your own story. For me, that event is the Gilroy Garlic Festival. Like so many people, I’ve been...

“Abolish Ice”, a sign captured in the Free Lance photo featured in the coverage of the protest at the Gilroy construction site for an ICE detention center. Of course we don’t want our spinach, carrots, onions and garlic spoiled by a police state. I...

With the California High Speed Rail Authority’s Supermassive Black Hole Bullet Train insolvent, and getting more so every day, as motorists and taxpayers are gouged for the tax subsidies the builders demand, a bankruptcy solution, so common in the economy (see examples off the...

The Hollister School District has been quite busy upgrading facilities and grounds during the summer break.  Director of Maintenance and Operations Aaron Buzzetta provided a rundown of key highlights for a variety of work happening at sites throughout the district during the break. The initiatives...

The Gilroy Garlic Festival drew more than 12,000 people over the three-day event, organizers said, as the festival pushes toward its 50th anniversary in 2028 following its return in 2025 after a yearslong hiatus. The volunteer-run festival, held July 24-26 at the Hecker Pass Outdoor...

Three people died in separate vehicle accidents in South Valley over the July 25-26 weekend, according to authorities. Two of the crashes involved motorcycles, with their riders pronounced dead after officers responded.  A California Highway Patrol commander emphasized that most accidents are preventable, and urged...

On Aug. 29, the Pavilion at Bolado Park Event Center will transform into a runway. The Indigenous Fashion Show Gala will celebrate Native designs while featuring Aztec dance, live performances, food and community. The event is presented 3-9pm by the Indigenous Nations Diversity Network in...

If you ask police officers, school administrators or parents in Hollister about e-bikes, you’ll likely hear the same response: They’re becoming one of the biggest public safety challenges facing our community. Not because e-bikes are inherently dangerous. It’s because too many riders are treating them...

Gavilan College will host its annual “Ready, Set, Enroll” event on Aug. 1 to help new and returning students complete enrollment and prepare for the fall 2026 semester. The free event will take place from 9am-2pm at the college's Gilroy and Hollister campuses. The Gilroy...