Local News

The Northern California Renaissance Faire opens this weekend in northeast San Benito County, offering visitors a step back in time with a glimpse of medieval revelry, camaraderie, entertainment and competition.  Starting Sept. 13-14, the Renaissance Faire continues at Casa de Fruta on Saturdays and Sundays...

Sanchez makes president’s list Jenifer Sanchez, of Hollister, was named to the Southern New Hampshire University president’s list for the spring semester. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the president's...

In a move to expand educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth, Rebekah Children’s Services announced a new partnership with Gavilan College that will allow students in their Kneaded Culinary Academy to earn college credit and certification starting this fall. The three-way collaboration was unveiled during a...

San Benito County recovered $696,602 that was stolen by a suspect or suspects through a complicated phishing scam, according to local officials.  Authorities are investigating the fraud attempt, in which the county’s auditor-controller’s office had approved the payment to someone who falsely posed as a...

The San Benito Fire Safe Council is on a mission to turn more local neighborhoods into Firewise USA communities that work together to reduce wildfire risks.  To that end, the SBFSC is currently recruiting new members to join its board, and local community members are...

Hollister Police have arrested a suspect from a July 4 drive-by shooting on San Benito Street, authorities said.  Ruben Eduardo Vargas, 30, of Hollister, was arrested on Aug. 6, based on information gathered through an ongoing investigation into the shooting by the Hollister Police Department....

The annual Gilroy Rodeo sold out all three days for the first time in its history this past weekend, drawing approximately 5,500 attendees to celebrate the community’s western heritage in the heart of Silicon Valley. “We were at capacity,” said Stacey Roberts, the rodeo’s arena...

A premier northern California focal point for the preservation, enjoyment, instruction and performance of bluegrass music is in San Benito County, where the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival takes place the second weekend of August every year in Tres Pinos.  The 31st annual festival, Aug....

For the seventh year in a row, Hollister High School has been ranked as a “Best High School” by U.S. News & World Report—an annual comprehensive report that identifies top-performing schools nationwide. The 2025-26 U.S. News & World Report rankings place Hollister High in the...

About a dozen young girls are spending the month of July practicing a wide range of ballet movements and positions at the San Benito Dance Connection, the result of a merger between Flying Colors Dance and San Benito Dance Academy. Under the tutelage of Artistic...