County seeks transportation funds
HOLLISTER
– The San Benito County Council of Governments voted unanimously
last week to request $5.5 million in state transportation
improvement funds for projects in San Benito County.
County seeks transportation funds
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Council of Governments voted unanimously last week to request $5.5 million in state transportation improvement funds for projects in San Benito County.
The requested funding will be used over a five year period to fund the following projects:
– Hwy. 25 four-lane widening project engineering
– Union/Mitchell Road intersection improvements project right of way
– San Juan Hwy. bike lanes project construction
Additional monies will be used to fund transportation planning activities carried out by the Council of Governments as required by the state.
COG previously requested approximately $13,000,000 for other projects in San Benito County, including the Highway 25 Safety project that is set to go to construction this year.
These state funds do not pay the full cost of all these projects; however, they will allow the projects to progress to advanced stages including construction. State Transportation Improvement Program funding is subject to the year-to-year State budget decisions and therefore is unreliable; consequently finding a stable source of local funding is still needed to support the future of transportation in this county.
For more information on these projects, visit the COG website at www.sanbenitocog.org.
SJB book sale set
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA – Books for $2 a bag are available throughout February at Luck Library.
Library hours are 1-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, 1-7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursdays, and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays. Further information is available by calling 623-4687.
Fruit growers institute
HOLLISTER – The annual Central Coast Fruit Institute is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 8, at the Veterans Memorial Building in Hollister. The meeting is sponsored by the University of California Cooperative Extension. Those attending can receive 3.5 hours of continuing education credit in pest management.
The session begins at 8:30 a.m. and presentations continue until noon. There is no cost to attend. Further information is available from U.C. Cooperative Extension at 637-5346.
Kindergarten time
HOLLISTER – Now is the time for families to register children for kindergarten in the North County School District. Registration packets can be picked up at Spring Grove School, 500 Spring Grove Road between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on school days.
Children entering kindergarten must be 5 on or before Dec. 2, 2008. Incoming kindergartners must have birth date verification in the form of a birth certificate, baptismal record or passport. Students also must have a full health exam prior to first grade, a dental exam by May 31 of their first year in school, proof of residency in the form of a utility bill and complete immunizations.
Calling all artists
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Downtown Association is looking for artists interested in painting a chair for “Charming Chairs,” an upcoming fund-raiser. The public will be invited to bid on about 40 decorated chairs displayed in downtown Hollister businesses April 4-20. A portion of the funds raised will go to the Community Pantry’s capital campaign.
Artists also are invited to apply to sell their wares at the Hollister Farmers Market, which opens this year on May 21 and continues through August.
Applications for both opportunities may be obtained by calling 636-8406.
‘Director in the Classroom’
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Arts Council and the Hollister Downtown Association are coordinating “Director in the Classroom,” a student film festival scheduled to premiere Oct. 18. San Benito County students in grades 5-12 or enrolled at Gavilan College are eligible to participate. Further information is available at www.sanbenitoarts.org.
Wildlife Center dinner
TRES PINOS – The 12th annual Nan Pipestem Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Dinner and Auction will be held tonight beginning at 6 p.m. at the Bolado Park fairgrounds. This year’s dinner will be catered by San Benito County’s Future Farmers of America. Other events include live entertainment, a silent auction, a live auction and new this year, a “Post-it Raffle.” Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Tickets are available at the following locations: Tres Pinos Ranch Supply, the Animal Hospital of Hollister, Johnny’s Bar & Grill, Visions of Christmas in San Juan Bautista, Family Pet Care Center and the Ausaymas Veterinary Service.
The Wildlife Center is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to rescue and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned wildlife and return them to the wild as well as to educate the public in the habits and needs of wildlife in San Benito County. For more information or to donate an auction item, call 628-3400 or 693-4533.
