Alejo touts recently approved bills in talk with council
Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Salinas, came to San Benito County on Monday and updated the Hollister City Council on his legislative accomplishments and other bills in the works in the capitol.
County board approves lowering CAO’s minimum qualifications
Supervisors voted 4-1 on Tuesday to approve changes to the code that would lower the education requirements for the county’s top administrative position. Supervisor Robert Rivas had the dissenting vote.
Board approves ‘feasibility study’ for alternative power agreement
Supervisors voted Tuesday to approve a “feasibility study” to look into whether the county should move to a “community choice aggregation” energy plan that would allow it to set up power-purchase agreements with alternative energy companies.
Updated: Board makes CAO pick without reporting action, lowers qualifications
A majority of supervisors decided in closed session last week to offer the permanent county administrative officer role to interim CAO Ray Espinosa, officials have confirmed. Before hiring him, the board had to lower the position’s minimum qualifications to no longer require a college degree.
Pinnacles National Park would close during government shutdown
If you were planning on visiting Pinnacles National Park on Tuesday, you might want to rethink your travel plans.
Employees rally as county, union negotiate over new contract
The union representing county workers, SEIU Local 521, held a rally earlier this month to update workers about ongoing contract negotiations with San Benito County.
Plan to eradicate mussels at San Justo Reservoir remains in limbo
More than five years after its closure, it doesn’t look like San Justo Reservoir will be open anytime soon, according to San Benito County officials.
Pinnacles proposes fee hike to pay for expanded shuttle service
The National Park Service is seeking public input through Oct. 23 about proposed increase in the park entrance fee from $5 to $10 to support a shuttle service, according to an announcement from Pinnacles.
Cut would affect 9 percent of county residents on food stamps
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives has voted to cut $40 billion from the SNAP program, or food stamp program. In July, the House voted for a farm bill that separated the SNAP program funding from the larger farm bill.
Photo: ‘San Benito Rising’ rallies against oil wells near Pinnacles
San Benito environmental activists known as San Benito Rising, with the Center for Biological Diversity as a cosponsor, held a rally against 15 proposed oil wells near Pinnacles National Park on Saturday. The event was called “Draw the Line: Don’t Frack the Pinnacles.” The oil company with exclusive rights to the project – Ojai-based Citadel Exploration, Inc. – vehemently denied those implications of fracking and its spokesman said the businesss has worked with the county to address all environmental concerns. San Benito Rising also has acknowledged there is no planned fracking at the Indian Wells project.
