Health

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...

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...

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...

San Benito County and Salinas Valley Health officials last week jointly submitted a letter of intent to take over operations of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital and its associated services through a joint powers authority that would raise extra long-term capital for the hospital, in...

Baer named to Dean’s List Alexandria Baer, of Hollister, earned Dean's List distinction for the Fall 2022 semester, one of more than 330 undergraduate students to be recognized. The Dean's List comprises undergraduate students who meet requirements in the Colleges of Arts and Science and Professional...

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...

The San Benito Health Care District announced Aug. 13 that Insight Health is stepping away from negotiations on a proposed lease-to-purchase agreement for Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, citing unprecedented uncertainty stemming from the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).  The federal legislation will...

Don Smith said the vibe at Hollister schools is different with the return of the after-school sports programs this year.  “The reintroduction of sports has completely changed the energy at our schools,” said Smith, a physical education teacher at Rancho San Justo Middle School and...

The San Benito County Behavioral Health Department recently announced the launch of its new community Mobile Crisis Response program, which aims to bring crisis management and support to residents wherever they are.  The phone number for the Mobile Crisis Response Team is 831.902.2911. The line...

Although farm and food production workers were considered essential workers during the pandemic, many of California's food employers endangered those workers, violating Cal/OSHA's Covid-19 guidelines more often than most industries, a new report said. The California Institute for Rural Studies’ report said farm and food...