Politics

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.

The 33rd Agricultural District board voted this month to shift rights for Bolado Park alcohol sales to the San Benito Heritage Foundation – and away from other nonprofits previously selling at the fair and other events – because of state budget cuts and a need to raise more revenue.

With an estimated 70 percent, or 4,200 of the 6,000 agricultural workers in Santa Clara and San Benito counties lacking proper documentation, proposed state legislation granting all undocumented immigrants the ability to attain a driver’s license has been well-received at the local level.

The San Benito Board of Supervisors earlier this month announced that the county has saved more than $1.1 million in prescription drugs for its residents since the Coast2Coast Rx discount prescription drug program and card were launched in August 2009.

Hollister City Council members approved a budget appropriation Monday for a lighted crosswalk at the new courthouse intersection at Fourth and Monterey streets.

A bill authored by Assemblyman Luis Alejo to increase California’s minimum wage passed both houses of the California Legislature on Thursday and was sent to Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk, where the governor has said he will sign it.

The California Legislature on Thursday passed a bill by Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Salinas, which would allow any immigrant to apply for a driver’s license. AB 60 passed out of the State Senate with a vote of 28-8 and was approved by the State Assembly with a vote of 55-19.

The state has awarded San Benito County a grant worth more than $15 million to use on a jail expansion project expected to add about 60 beds and ease local pressures from prison overcrowding.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced new regulations Tuesday intended to crack down on Internet puppy mills, based upon legislation written by Rep. Sam Farr (D-Carmel).

In an update to the San Benito Board of Supervisors on Tuesday about the city’s June decision to partner with the county to consolidate fire department resources, Hollister Fire Chief Mike O’Connor said that “so far, everything’s going really well.”