Nonprofits sue county over Betabel Road node project
San Benito County and its elected board of supervisors violated state environmental protection laws when they approved a conditional use permit for the Betabel commercial project proposed next to Highway 101, according to a lawsuit filed last week by two nonprofit organizations.
The lawsuit—filed Dec....
Freemasons support youth and homeless
Members of Texas Masonic Lodge #46, located in San Juan Bautista, held a fundraiser on Nov. 12 to benefit local youth and homeless programs.
Texas Lodge’s Teresa Herrick and her husband, Kevin, spearheaded the fundraiser by holding a “Legit Phở Cooking Class” and holiday floral...
Hollister resident and MVC senior James Ponzio caps prep cross country career in style
James Ponzio didn’t get the result he wanted in the Central Coast Section Cross Country Championships at the famed Crystal Springs Course in Belmont on Nov. 12.
So, two weeks later in the biggest race of his career in the CIF State Championships at Woodward...
3.4-magnitude earthquake rumbles in Gabilan Mountains
A 3.4 magnitude earthquake struck early Tuesday morning in the Gabilan Range about 25 miles east of Salinas, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The 4:31am quake was centered at a depth of about 5 miles just west of the San Benito River and State...
Hazel Hawkins seeks $10M loan from county
Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital—whose administrators earlier this year declared a state of fiscal emergency—recently requested $10 million in the form of emergency bridge funding from the San Benito County Board of Supervisors, according to the Hollister hospital.
The hospital sent the proposal for a $10...
State, federal funds to help repair Highway 101 in SJB
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) last week approved $1 billion for 93 new walking and biking projects for disadvantaged communities—including $780,000 to repair a stretch of Highway 101 in San Juan Bautista, says a press release.
The funds were released as part of the 2023...
County, Caltrans offer free bulky item recycling event at Hollister landfill
The California Department of Transportation and San Benito County Integrated Waste Management are offering a free Bulky Item Recycling Event for local residents on Dec. 10 and Dec. 11, from 9am to 3pm both days at John Smith Road Landfill.
Staff from Caltrans, the landfill...
In ultra-tough Gabilan Division, Hollister boys soccer aim to thrive
When Marco Orozco decided to return for a second stint as the head coach of the Hollister High boys soccer team two years ago, his goal was to keep the Haybalers in the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s upper Gabilan Division.
A lot of that will...
Flu tests available at San Benito County sites
As of Dec. 5, flu tests are available at OptumServe sites in San Benito County—along with PCR and rapid antigen tests for Covid-19, according to county authorities.
The flu and Covid-19 are currently on the rise as a surge of both viruses grips the county,...
Oriana Chorale to perform holiday concerts in Hollister
The singers of San Benito Oriana Chorale—many of whom have performed with the group for more than three decades—are eager to be back in front of audiences this month for the first time since before the pandemic.
The local nonprofit community choral group has been...
