Health

California lawmakers announced Aug. 1 the introduction of a bill that would create a permanent structure to provide relief for farmers impacted by natural disasters.  The Agricultural Emergency Relief Act aims to streamline the process for seeking and receiving relief.   While Congress has previously provided aid...

Red Cross needs help to avert a blood shortage After a summer of declining donations, the American Red Cross needs the public’s help to prevent a blood shortage. Right now, the Red Cross especially needs type O negative, type O positive and type B negative blood...

After Morgan Hill resident Kristina Andrews lost her daughter, Kourtney, to a drowning accident about six years ago, the local mother knew she wanted to do something to help prevent other families from suffering similar tragedies.  The desire to make a difference continued to grow...

San Benito County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) this week announced the launch of a new program, in partnership with Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, to expand buprenorphine distribution by emergency responders to reduce opioid overdoses. Buprenorphine is a medication that helps reduce opioid withdrawal and...

San Benito Integrated Waste Management (SBCIWM) will host two upcoming free composting workshops where attendees can learn how to turn food scraps and yard waste into nutrient rich soil. The Composting 101 Workshop is scheduled for 9:30am July 29; and a Sheet Mulching Technique and...

The interior Bay Area and Central Coast are under an excessive heat warning from Saturday morning to Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service. Highs of up to 110 degrees are expected in inland areas including Santa Rosa, Concord, Livermore and Gilroy. Coastal regions...

Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital (HHMH) and the San Benito Health Care District (District) announced July 10 that they have received unanimous approval from the Engineers and Scientists of California Local 20 (ESC Local 20) regarding a new labor agreement. The decision by ESC Local 20...

A town hall meeting in Hollister drew more than 40 attendees on July 6 as concerned residents, nurses and local politicians convened to discuss the future of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital (HHMH). The forum comes on the heels of the San Benito Health Care...

Watkins graduates from Shenandoah University Branden Watkins, of Hollister, was among the 1,143 students who graduated from Shenandoah University during the 2022-23 academic year. Watkins earned a Post-Graduate Certificate in Nurse-Midwifery. Shenandoah University was established in 1875, and is headquartered in Winchester, Virginia, with additional educational...

Bernice “B” Bode and her great-granddaughter, Jasmin Sauer, have similar personalities and they enjoy spending time together—in much the same way that intergenerational members of many families do.  But Bernice and Jasmin’s relationship is unique because they are 100 years apart in age. Bode, who...