Local News

The California News Publishers Association recognized the Hollister Free Lance for its pandemic reporting, handing the team an award as part of the 2021 California Journalism Awards on May 18. The Free Lance competed in the weekly newspaper circulation of 11,001-25,000 division. The publication received fifth...

Anza Trail Moonlight Walk on Nov. 16 The fifth annual Moonlight Walk on Anza Trail will take place Nov. 16. The event includes a celebration of the Old Stage Road, San Benito County’s 150th anniversary, the 25th anniversary of the Anza Trail naming and the...

Lotus Management, Inc. was joined by city and Chamber of Commerce officials at a recent groundbreaking ceremony for the new Holiday Inn Express & Suites at 391 Gateway Drive in Hollister.  The hotel will feature 93 rooms, an indoor pool, fitness center and meeting space,...

An armed carjacker led police on a pursuit through two counties and exchanged gunfire with officers in multiple locations, including Hollister, before he was shot dead by authorities in San Jose, according to the Hollister Police Department.  About 3pm Jan. 21, Hollister Police and San...

First 5 San Benito has announced the launch of a nationwide search to succeed Executive Director Lisa Faulkner, according to San Benito County staff. First 5 promotes the health, early learning and social-emotional well being of children prenatal through age 5 with strategic investments...

Local cowgirl Lillian Mendonsa, 13, has been selected as a member of the RodeoKids.com Ambassador Team, for which she will serve as a role model and representative of the “western lifestyle” as she travels the state competing in youth rodeo events. Mendonsa, of Hollister, was...

Doña Esther’s will shutter after 42 years in business

Krystal Lomanto, County Superintendent of Schools hosted the county’s first Literacy Summit on Jan. 25 at the Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Hollister.  SBCOE Director of Curriculum & Instruction and Equity & Access, Mai Cruz, coordinated the event, which featured nationally renowned speaker and educator,...

A 60-year-old woman died in a traffic collision on Highway 152 north of Hollister July 31, according to authorities. About 11:15am, the California Highway Patrol received a call reporting a collision on State Route 152 just west of the intersection of Lover’s Lane in Santa...

John Bocanegra—a well-known member of the Hollister community who connected countless people with employment opportunities as the manager of Infinity Staffing—would probably be alive today if the Covid-19 vaccine had been available to him, according to his daughter, Gail Hernandez-Muhilly. Bocanegra died of Covid-19 Jan....