Economy

In an effort to minimize impacts on wildlife and tribal resources, as well as to satisfy critics of the proposed Sargent Mine in southern Santa Clara County, the project’s applicant recently offered to scale back their original plans for the property. However, some of those...

Prepare for lane closures Construction on the Highway 156 Corridor Improvement Project will result in a long-term closure of San Juan Hollister Road starting this week, according to the California Department of Transportation. Beginning Oct. 24, San Juan Hollister Road will be closed between Union Road...

In an effort to cut costs as Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital (HHMH) faces a potential bankruptcy, the San Benito Health Care District Board of Directors voted Jan. 6 to close the hospital system’s home healthcare department.  The board’s vote was in line with a recommendation...

Arts Council debuts first Pop-Up Market The San Benito County Arts Council invites the community to a Pop-Up Market at The Art Depot in downtown Hollister on Feb. 11, from noon to 4pm. The market will feature original artworks, art prints, wall décor, handcrafted resin gifts...

California faces a $22.5 billion budget deficit, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Jan. 10 as he proposed billions in cuts and deferred spending amid a significant drop in capital gains tax revenue. After the state’s revenue boomed a year ago due largely to a capital gains...

San Benito County will receive $2.4 million in state funds to purchase factory-built homes for chronically homeless people, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced earlier this month.  The funds come from the California Homekey program, and will help the county buy a total of 11 prefabricated homes,...

Police to conduct DUI checkpoint The Hollister Police Department will be conducting a DUI and driver’s license checkpoint starting at 6pm Sept. 16 at a location within the city limits. The checkpoint will last until 2am Sept. 17, according to Hollister Police.  Officers at the checkpoint...

Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital recently received a $3 million loan from the state, according to hospital officials.  The loan comes from the California Health Facilities Financing Authority. The loan will allow the Hollister hospital to extend the timeline it needs to find a strategic partner...

Highway 25 project gains federal funds The California Transportation Commission (CTC) last week allocated nearly $3 billion for projects to repair and improve transportation infrastructure throughout the state.  The allocation includes $8.9 million in funds from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021...

San Benito County is appealing federal authorities’ decision to deny emergency aid to local individuals who suffered storm damage from recent winter weather, and is asking affected residents and property owners to help by gathering and sending documentation of their losses.  On Feb. 24, county...