Partnership to create Highway 152 toll road disbands
The multi-county partnership that was studying the possibility of making Highway 152 a toll road has broken up.
Councilman refunds part of payment, admits breaking ethics law
Councilman Doug Emerson on Wednesday admitted he violated state ethics rules and amended a filing with the city to reflect that he reimbursed half of $4,650 he reported receiving from a solar company for his July 2011 trip to China.
SEIU, administration trade barbs over union flier
Members of the Service Employees International Union Local 521 distributed fliers over the weekend that suggested San Benito County might be headed in the same direction as San Bernardino, which recently gained national infamy after filing bankruptcy.
Seniors, EDC take first hits from budget hearings
The San Benito County Board of Supervisors began the budget hearings Monday by making their first cut of the hearings to the community-based organizations and the Economic Development Corporation.
Councilman Emerson’s paid trip to China spurs questions
Councilman Doug Emerson in July 2011 accepted $4,650 for a trip to China – and apparently exceeded the state’s gift limit for elected officials – from a private solar company that requested he speak at a seminar to help recruit investors for California projects.
Council members prefer keeping fire talks private
While the Hollister fire union and city manager have traded public claims in the aftermath of the association’s no-confidence vote against him and Fire Chief Fred Cheshire, some council members stressed the need to keep talks civil and, preferably, behind closed doors.
Sheriff explains possible impact from ‘anti-Arizona’ bill
People ask Sheriff Darren Thompson all the time if the county deports illegal immigrants who are arrested.
After prior concerns, council backs grant for westside planning
Hollister City Council members voted unanimously Monday to support the Westside Promise Neighborhood grant application – after three of them previously expressed concerns about the application at a July 2 meeting – which could inject a half-million dollars toward fixing the economically distressed area of the city.
Farr calls bill to rename Pinnacles as national park ‘non-controversial’
If John Muir were still alive, documentary filmmaker Ken Burns surmised the pioneering environmentalist would argue that Pinnacles National Monument is a “grand geological library” that deserves the same level of recognition as the country’s most renowned parks.
