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...

San Benito County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents of Mission RV Park and those who live along State Route 156, according to a press release from the county.  Specifically, those who live on the south side of Highway 156 between The Alameda...

Avian influenza, a “highly pathogenic” viral disease that infects poultry and birds—and is potentially transmissible to humans—has been detected in San Benito County, according to local public health officials.  The disease, also known as “bird flu,” was found recently in poultry flocks in a number...

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...

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...

Construction of a new traffic roundabout at the intersection of State Routes 25 and 156 near Hollister continues this week with work taking place behind protective concrete barriers, according to the California Department of Transportation. Recently installed K-rail at all four approaches to the construction...

Hazel Hawkins public forum A public forum on Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital has been rescheduled for 5:30-7pm Jan. 23, at Veterans Memorial Building, 649 San Benito Street in Hollister. Hospital officials will make a presentation and answer questions from the audience.  Attendees are asked to submit...

The Board of Directors of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital this week announced their decision to end the hospital’s contract with CEO Steven M. Hannah, effective Oct. 14.   “The Board talked it through from every angle and reluctantly decided this new course would be best for...

San Benito County public safety and health officials are sounding the alarm about the dangers of fentanyl—a powerful opioid—after a recent and ongoing spike in drug overdoses. In the last three months alone, 17 people in San Benito County have suffered opioid overdoses, requiring emergency...

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...