New law gives workers more paid sick days
California workers will be guaranteed five paid sick days a year starting Jan. 1, up from the three days that employers are currently required to provide, thanks to Senate Bill 616.
The bill, authored by Long Beach Democratic Sen. Lena Gonzalez, also extends protections against...
California’s food insecurity rises as pandemic aid ends
Food insecurity in California ticked upward over the past year, bringing the share of hardship back up to levels early in the Covid-19 pandemic, according to data released by the California Association of Food Banks on Dec. 12.
“Families are buying less food,” said May...
Organic growers see new role in age of climate change
It’s hard to find a job fighting climate change, oddly. But the organic farming industry is one place where a person can make a living making a difference.
Food systems account for 20% to 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to data from the...
State water storage at healthy levels
California’s water storage and delivery systems are in good shape heading into the rainy season, having benefited from last year’s near-historic rain and snowfall totals, according to the state’s top water managers.
Coming off three years of punishing drought conditions, last year was the sixth...
Local Scene: DUI checkpoint, academic honors
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...
Council moves to ask voters to increase Hollister hotel tax
The Hollister City Council voted last week to put a proposed occupancy tax increase on the ballot for the November 2024 general election. If passed, this would be the first time since 1986 that voters will decide to increase the tax on hotel stays...
EIR process begins for Ranch 35 Quarry project
The San Benito County Planning Commission held a scoping meeting Aug. 2 for the proposed Ranch 35 Quarry project near the intersection of State Route 156 and U.S. 101. The meeting’s purpose was to inform the public about the scope of the quarry project...
Gavilan College breaks ground for new San Benito campus
Nearly two decades after Gavilan College purchased property for a new San Benito County campus, officials held a groundbreaking ceremony June 16 at the Fairview Road site.
Plans for the new local community college campus site, which is located at the intersection of Highway 25,...
Public review begins for draft Economic Development Strategy
The Economic Development Corporation of San Benito County announced this week that it has completed a draft update of its Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), after receiving an $80,000 grant from the Economic Development Administration and a $5,000 contribution from the City of San...
County considers long-term housing supply plans
The San Benito County Board of Supervisors held a special joint meeting with the Planning Commision on June 6 to discuss updates to the county’s General Plan, specifically those that deal with long-term land use and housing needs.
The board received presentations from the commission...
