Politics

There are about the same number of local school contests as in prior years but more candidates – and contests – for the special and city office races.

Several late contributions came in regarding the Measure J initiative – from big oil companies on one side and donors associated with major environmental groups on the other – for the November ballot.

The challenger for the District 4 county supervisor seat out-raised the incumbent by more than $16,000 in the latest filing period.

Congressman Sam Farr's office Tuesday announced a grant award for more than $3 million going toward runway repairs at the Hollister airport.

With help from Assemblyman Luis Alejo, the state is looking to include $400,000 in this year's budget to fund additional court security at the San Benito County Courthouse, according to an announcement from Alejo's office.

The No on Measure J side has raised more than $1.7 million for its campaign, while the yes side has raised about $120,000, according to campaign finance documents.

More sign damage has been reported in the Measure J campaign, this time with obscene graffiti found on a prominent sign along San Benito Street.

District 3 council candidates Karson Klauer and Robert Scattini are on opposite ends of a spectrum as it pertains to experience, but they shared a common motivation to run for the seat in that they both care deeply about the local community.

Congressman Sam Farr on Tuesday will be joined by local officials in announcing a grant award to make repairs at the Hollister Municipal Airport, according to a statement from Farr's office.

Paso Robles' Ed Hazard believes the public and politicians haven't given enough attention to rights of royalty and mineral rights owners in local-level debates like the one in San Benito County over Measure J. Kathy Spencer from the Bitterwater area has another perspective and worries her family members could lose control of their property because an oil company owns mineral rights on 440 acres of their land.