Local News

Seven years ago April 1, during the height of the last drought, California Gov. Jerry Brown stood on the barren slopes of the Sierra Nevada, watching as engineers measured the worst snowpack in state history. Friday’s snow measurements aren’t quite so bleak, but they remain...

A single gunman acted on a case of “mistaken identity” when he shot and killed Jaime Jesus Gomez and Daniel Eli Gonzalez and injured three other people at a home on the edge of the city’s downtown March 26, according to police. Hollister Police Chief...

With more than 700 people attending the opening weekend of San Benito High School’s “The Addams Family,” the production has already demonstrated how excited the local community is for live theater to return, the show’s director noted. “The crowds had so much energy, they laughed...

Two days before the Avis Kelley Invitational at Gilroy High on March 26, San Benito High junior Jocelyn Alexander threw the shot put 35 feet in her warm-up attempts during a league dual meet against Salinas High.  Alexander was hopeful—almost expecting—to repeat 35 feet when...

More than 60 dance organizations from across the Greater Bay Area will gather April 23-24 at Eastridge Center Mall, 2200 Eastridge Loop in San Jose, for the Spring Dance Festival. Flying Colors Dance & Fitness of Hollister will be presenting a new work by choreographers...

Special to the Free Lance The Hollister City Council came to a split decision March 21 that there were not enough public safety personnel to support the traditional Independence Day Rally in the city that is known to be “The Birthplace of the American Biker.” Councilmembers...

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a second Covid-19 booster vaccine dose Tuesday for some immunocompromised people as well as all adults over the age of 50.  A second booster dose of either mRNA vaccine will be available for eligible people at least four...

In the last couple of years, San Benito High softball coach Andrew Barragan has purposely scheduled ultra-tough non-league competition to put the Haybalers in the best position to win a league and section championship. Sometimes the players react well to it, and sometimes—as was the...

On World Water Day, March 22, the Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials passed three bills that aim to protect the state’s water sources and access, according to a press release from Assemblymember Robert Rivas.   The first piece of legislation, Assembly Bill 2106,...

The San Juan Bautista Art & Craft Festival returned to the streets of the San Benito County town last weekend for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic started, bringing crowds of all ages and enthusiastic vendors. The festival, which took place March 26 and...