Health

A non-native Aedes aegypti mosquito—an aggressive species that can spread certain diseases—has been discovered in a residential area of Gilroy, according to the Santa Clara County Vector Control District. A mosquito of the same species was also found recently in a neighborhood of east...

California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas this week announced millions of dollars in new Cal Fire grant funding for programs including the San Benito Fire Safe Council that plan and implement wildfire prevention efforts.  The San Benito Fire Safe Council and Community Foundation for San Benito...

The California State Assembly Select Committee on Fentanyl, Opioid Addiction and Overdose Prevention on Aug. 12 during an informational hearing discussed the urgency of combating the rise in overdose deaths among youth in recent years primarily due to ingesting fentanyl.  Between 2019 and 2021, drug...

Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital and the San Benito Health Care District this week announced that they have reached a new labor agreement with the Hollister hospital’s largest union.  Hospital administrators said they received approval from the National Union of Healthcare Workers for a new labor...

California lawmakers are crafting an end-of-session package of proposed laws that could streamline the building of solar and offshore wind energy projects, according to people familiar with the discussions. Democratic legislators, who have shared drafts with environmental groups, industry, lobbyists and other interested parties, are...

Local residents and visitors of all ages enjoyed a light breeze and mild temperatures as they celebrated San Benito County’s 150th anniversary on July 27. The celebration took place at the San Benito Historical Park in Tres Pinos, and featured live entertainment, roving artists (including...

The San Benito County Board of Supervisors is placing an advisory measure on the Nov. 5 ballot regarding the potential private sale of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital. The non-binding measure would ask voters if they prefer to keep the Hollister hospital locally owned.  This comes...

The Hollister School District once again operated a successful Extended School Year (ESY) program for a month of the summer, giving eligible students opportunities to prevent learning loss and keep structured schedules.  The ESY program ran from June 12-July 12 at Rancho Santana School. ESY...

Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties may have been exposed to measles in recent days after an infected person from outside the region visited, according to public health officials.  The infected individual traveled out of San Jose Mineta International Airport on July 2, the Santa...

A federal committee last week approved a program that includes about $63 million in funding for the improvement and expansion of water infrastructure. If approved by Congress, more than $15 million in upgrades could be dedicated to San Juan Bautista and Hollister, according to...