Local News

By Jill Cowan, The New York Times Almost exactly a year ago, on March 7, 2020, officials in the Elk Grove Unified School District—Northern California’s largest—announced that schools would close for a week in response to concerns that the novel, unknown coronavirus could spread like...

Applications available for Open Studios Art Tour The San Benito County Arts Council is now accepting applications from artists in all media for the annual Open Studios Art Tour, Sept. 25-26.  Artists based in San Benito County are encouraged to submit an online application at sanbenitoarts.org. Prospective...

U.S. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) announced this week that Gavilan College will receive $375,000 from the National Science Foundation to support STEM education for Latino students. “Diversity in the STEM workforce matters, and I am glad to see Gavilan College is implementing an innovative program...

Arts Council announces art classes for youth The San Benito County Arts Council is now enrolling students in Winter Session Art Classes. All classes take place at the Art Depot, 35 5 th St., Suite D, in downtown Hollister.  Winter Session begins the first week of...

Looking back at the 2024-25 school year in the Hollister School District, Director of Special Education Gabriel Gutierrez reflected on areas of focus and progress such as strengthening student achievement, stronger collaboration with the Educational Services Department and enhancing the curriculum.  Gutierrez heads the department...

San Juan Bautista-based El Teatro Campesino was named by Sen. John Laird as the 2025 Nonprofit of the Year for District 17.  “For over half a century, El Teatro Campesino has uplifted the voices of working people, celebrated Chicano culture, and inspired generations through the...

Police today arrested a suspect in connection with an attempted homicide that occurred May 23 in Hollister, according to authorities.

Caltrans will hold a virtual public meeting Oct. 9 on the upcoming U.S. 101 Pavement Rehabilitation Project in San Benito County. The meeting will take place from 6-7pm.  The public and other interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend by visiting the meeting website at tinyurl.com/26kpsn69.  The...

Bill’s Bullpen in downtown Hollister is one of thousands of comic book shops around the world that will participate in Free Comic Book Day on May 6.  “Free Comic Book Day is a great event for the whole community,” said Bill Mifsud, owner of Bill’s...

With the addition of two donated communication boards on playgrounds at Ladd Lane Elementary School, students with special needs will have an easier time expressing their thoughts to staff members and peers.  One of the boards—for TK through first-grade students—arrived in early November with the...