Politics

Mayoral hopeful running on growth, infrastructure platform

As local political campaigns officially kick off this election season, one of the most high-profile races in San Benito County is for the mayor’s seat in the city of Hollister. Earlier this year, the Hollister City Council voted to extend the two-year term limit...

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a stack of bills Aug. 16 aimed at curtailing organized retail, property and auto theft in California. Newsom appeared at a Home Depot in San Jose with state, business and law enforcement officials, signing 10 bills that he said go “to...

The San Benito County Board of Supervisors is placing an advisory measure on the Nov. 5 ballot regarding the potential private sale of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital. The non-binding measure would ask voters if they prefer to keep the Hollister hospital locally owned.  This comes...

A federal committee last week approved a program that includes about $63 million in funding for the improvement and expansion of water infrastructure. If approved by Congress, more than $15 million in upgrades could be dedicated to San Juan Bautista and Hollister, according to...

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the 2024-25 budget into law on June 29, solidifying $16 billion in cuts and other moves that closed a $46.8 billion deficit.  The budget is $297.5 billion, with $211.5 billion committed from the general fund. It maintains $22.5 billion in reserve...

Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders reached a nearly $300 million budget agreement on June 21 that closes a $46.8 billion deficit that was projected for the coming fiscal year with across-the-board cuts of nearly 8% to every department.  The $297.5 billion budget is proposed...

Hospital board member faces effort to be removed from seat early

County clerk certified Empower Voters on May 21

Board director Josie Sanchez's term is up in 2026