Economy

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...

Emergency public safety responders rescued nearly two dozen people and 16 animals from their homes in northern San Benito County as pouring rains and rising floodwaters engulfed homes, streets and properties Jan. 9, according to authorities.  A total of 23 people were rescued from Lovers...

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...

Binu Abraham was recently hired as the Executive Director for the Council of San Benito County Governments (COG). Abraham was previously the Principal Analyst: Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Sustainable Community Strategies Project Manager for the Sacramento COG, says a press release from the local COG.  The San Benito...

Although recent rains have saturated Hollister and the surrounding areas—with more precipitation on the way—experts advised this week that California is nowhere close to being out of its ongoing drought.  A lingering storm over New Year’s weekend, from Dec. 30-Jan. 1, dumped a steady downpour...

The New Year brought a new addition to the Espinoza Briody family in Hollister and the First Baby of the New Year to Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital.  Catriona Espinoza Briody and Jorge Espinoza welcomed their baby girl, Cassidy, at 7:11am on Jan. 1, according to...

After a peer assessment that found night kennel services ineffective, the City of Hollister will close the local animal shelter’s night kennels as of Dec. 30, according to authorities.  The Hollister Animal Shelter earlier this year was awarded a $14,000 grant from Best Friends Animal...

Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital and Anthem Blue Cross announced this week that they have agreed on a new contract that allows patients insured by the company to maintain “in-network access” to the local hospital’s services, services and providers, says a press release from Hazel...

The San Benito County Arts Council is seeking local artists or artist teams to submit their qualifications to create and install a mural on one of five utility boxes along Highway 25 in Hollister.  This project is part of a State Highway Beautification Project, sponsored...

For more than two years, people have clamored for the return to “normal” after the uncertainties of a pandemic. In 2022, we got a taste of normalcy, but it was far from being predictable. Covid-19, which dominated the headlines in 2020 and 2021, seemingly took a...