Wildfire smoke blankets South Valley
Smoke from a series of large wildfires burning in Northern California and Oregon is riding steady northerly winds into the Bay Area, lowering air quality to unhealthy levels in much of the region.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued a Spare the Air...
West Nile Virus found in north San Benito County mosquitoes
Mosquitoes that tested positive for the West Nile Virus have been found in a small unincorporated area of San Benito County, according to the county agricultural commissioner’s office.
Weather permitting, county officials are planning to treat the affected area on Oct. 3, starting about 7pm,...
Rancho San Justo fair brings science to life
Sixth-grade teacher Hector Jimenez has organized science fairs the past two years at Rancho San Justo Middle School, with the latest one Nov. 16.
“It’s more of a museum science fair environment,” said Jimenez. “Students just walk around. Once they find a certain project they...
San Benito County to celebrate 150th anniversary July 27
San Benito County was formed on Feb. 12, 1874, from a section of Monterey County.
On July 27, 2024, the community will celebrate San Benito County’s 150th anniversary at the Historical Park in Tres Pinos with an extravaganza complete with entertainment, a petting zoo, jump...
Town Hall scheduled for Aug. 22 on landfill expansion
San Benito County will host a town hall workshop on the draft environmental impact report for the John Smith Road Landfill expansion project on Aug. 22. The workshop will start at 6:30pm, at the Veterans Memorial Building, 649 San Benito Street in Hollister.
The workshop...
Local Scene: Academic honors; digital divide survey
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...
Supporters, opponents spend big on San Benito County hospital measure
San Benito County voters have the fate of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in their hands this Nov. 5 election as they decide on a ballot measure proposing its sale to an out of state company.
Measure X is the final step in the San Benito...
Local Scene: Academic honors
Shaffer earns bachelor’s degree
Brooke Shaffer, of Hollister, received a bachelor of science degree in Human Environmental Sciences from the University of Alabama.
The university awarded more than 5,800 degrees during its spring commencement ceremonies.
A recent economic analysis found that a degree from The University of...
Public health officials report 52nd virus death, 01/27
San Benito County Public Health officials report the number of new Covid-19 cases continue to decrease but their latest newsletter reported another new death.
On Jan. 25, the county reported its 52nd death of the novel coronavirus in San Benito County. This is the fourth...
Local Scene: Academic honors, Harvest Festival, Hollister Hills
Locals named to Dean’s List
Hollister residents Ema Alfaro, Miranda Hernandez, Daniela Hernandez and Anessa Ocampo were named to the Stanislaus State University Dean’s List for the spring 2023 semester.
To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher and...


















