Health

At a tense board meeting Jan. 25, the San Benito Health Care District board voted to appoint Mary Casillas to the permanent CEO position of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, with a contract that increases her salary by more than 45 percent. Area residents, hospital nurses—and...

Kirkland named to Dean’s List Samuel Kirkland, of Hollister, was named to the LeTourneau University fall 2023 Dean’s List. Kirkland is majoring in Aircraft Systems, says a press release from the university.  The Dean's List recognizes students who have achieved a grade point average between 3.50...

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said Jan. 16 that he would veto any bill with an outright ban on youth tackle football. “My Administration will work with the Legislature and the bill’s author to strengthen safety in youth football—while ensuring parents have the freedom to...

The new year started off “extraordinarily quiet” in Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital’s Birthing Center—until the evening of Jan. 4, according to hospital staff. On that day, three babies were born in the span of 20 minutes and at 6:05pm, Natalia Elias Estrada won the...

People convicted of distributing fentanyl will face stiffer criminal penalties in the coming year under a new law shaped by rising overdose deaths. The law increases the penalty for selling or distributing more than one kilogram of fentanyl by an automatic addition of three years...

In a milestone for creating a major new source of drinking water, California has approved its first standards for turning sewage into potable water supplies delivered to homes and businesses. The State Water Resources Control Board, in a unanimous vote Dec. 19, outlined for the...

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...

The 9,400-acre Silacci Ranch—a sprawling landscape that stretches from the Salinas Valley floor to the peaks of the Gabilan Range—will be protected forever from suburban sprawl following a recent agreement between the property owner and a California land trust.  The Silacci Ranch is located in...

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...

Chorale holiday concerts San Benito Oriana Chorale will present their Christmas season concerts on Dec. 13 at San Juan Bautista Mission (406 Second Street in San Juan Bautista) at 7:30pm; Dec. 15 at Christ Fellowship Church (2066 San Benito Street) in Hollister at 6:30pm; and...