Politics

Congressman Sam Farr, who represents San Benito County, has announced his opposition to military action in Syria.

County supervisors Tuesday decided to include "special study areas" for prospective development in the general plan draft after debating over potential consequences of leaving them in or out.

San Benito County residents could have a few more options when paying fees to the county’s code enforcement office, the planning department and the agricultural commissioner’s office.

While a potential general sales tax measure could bring in more than $5 million to the county annually if approved by local voters, San Benito County supervisors opted to take the discussion to an upcoming intergovernmental meeting to seek input from officials in Hollister and San Juan Bautista before deciding how to proceed.

Hollister City Council members Monday sent a roaring message to the biker community that officials plan to hold a downtown motorcycle rally for the next 10 years.

Hollister residents will see significant increases to their water bills over the next five years after the council Monday gave final, unanimous approval to rate hikes. Before that vote, some residents shared strong views in opposition, one council member called a critique from the public "B.S.", and the vice mayor acknowledged that he regularly drinks ancient, pure water from McAlpine Lake.

Hollister City Council members Monday are set to consider sending a message to the biker community that officials plan to hold a downtown motorcycle rally for the next 10 years, while city leaders also will weigh starting talks with the Hollister Downtown Association to oversee the event.

The proposed changes in water rates at the Hollister and Sunnyslope Water Districts modify the fixed price, tier price, and tier steps over several of years. This makes forecasting of water bills difficult for the average homeowner.

Construction of the new San Benito County courthouse has been moving at a brisk pace on the lot at the corner of Monterey and Fourth streets. Judge Steven Sanders said last week the court staff members estimate the first proceedings will be held at the new courthouse location by the end of this year or early in 2014.

On a visit to Hollister last week, San Luis Wildlife Refuge Complex manager Kim Forrest talked about current easements and prospects for others under the federal government's proposed California Foothills Legacy voluntary program. Her office currently manages nearly 200 easements - they usually involve the government paying landowners a certain amount per acre to follow certain requirements - for duck-hunting clubs.