Politics

Assemblyman Luis Alejo lauded the governor's budget plan in a statement released Friday, particularly $57.1 million toward implementation of the legislator's bill allowing driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants.

The company vying to build a 247-megawatt solar farm in Panoche recently submitted a draft supplemental environmental impact report addressing plans to address impacts under a revised, reduced proposal.

A $16 million bridge stretching 900 feet across the San Benito River is planned to connect Y Road and San Juan Bautista. But in this rural area, the number of people it will serve is small.

Ringing in the New Year means a host of resolutions along with new laws such as those on fracking and social media. Gov. Jerry Brown signed the following into law for 2015:

In 2014, Hollister became what actor Mark Ruffalo called “ground zero” in California for the fierce debate over fracking. Ruffalo's tweet sent Oct. 14—in which he made the local fracking reference—underscored the broad reach of the debate in San Benito County over Measure J.

San Juan Bautista officials are asking for relief at local restaurants, schools and daycare centers from a ban against drinking tap water following test results showing the city's groundwater supply is well below the maximum nitrate standard.

San Juan council members Tuesday unanimously elected Councilman Robert Lund as mayor and Councilman Rick Edge as vice mayor. Lund succeeds former Mayor Andy Moore, who did not run for reelection as a council member.

With all the disagreement at the county board meeting Tuesday, officials could have used some yoga to ease their tensions.

Fire Chief Mike O’Connor told county board members plans are moving ahead on a Fire Station No. 3 near the airport, while a supervisor in the same discussion criticized lacking communication from the city during a recent investigation of the chief.

Hollister council members Monday put off a decision on the 2015 motorcycle rally as the downtown association and city continue negotiations, but one official declared there will be an event next year.