Politics

The county superintendent of schools affirmed a commissioned attorney’s legal opinion rejecting a petition for a special election over a seat on the Hollister School District Board of Trustees. The decision means appointed Trustee Mike Baldwin will keep his seat.

Supervisors on Tuesday voted 3-2 against an idea to support placing a countywide 1 percent sales tax on the ballot with a tax-sharing agreement among the cities and county.

While San Benito County supervisors nixed the idea of pursuing a special district and tax measure to support parks, recreation and libraries in 2013, they have agreed to staff recommendations to continue communicating with residents on a potential general tax measure for 2014.

The county has established four area fire stations as "safe surrender sites" where parents can brings infants within 72 hours of their birth rather than abandoning them, according to an announcement from the Hollister Police Department.

San Benito County saw a $2.1 million drop—or a less than 1 percent of the total—in gross agricultural value in 2014 compared to the prior year, according to the most recent crop report approved by county supervisors this week.

A medical pot dispensary asked San Juan Bautista officials to rescind a ban against such operations, and the city's officials indicated they might move in the opposite direction and tighten current regulations.

County supervisors Wednesday held a special meeting to discuss medicinal marijuana in an attempt to provide public outreach on the controversial issue, but the local newspaper didn’t receive an agenda as usual before the gathering.