Politics

San Benito County officials this week announced that Harry Mavrogenes, director of the county Resource Management Agency, has died.  Edgar Nolasco, deputy county administrative officer, on Sept. 20 sent an email to notify staff of his passing. Cause of death has not yet been released. “Harry...

The final list of candidates is in for the Nov. 3 election for mayor, two city council seats, two county board of supervisor seats and two trustees’ seats in the Hollister School District.  Hollister Mayor Ignacio Velazquez will run to retain his seat against challenger...

Hollister councilwoman Carol Lenoir announced earlier this week that she tested positive for Covid-19, adding her to the list of surging cases within San Benito County. She said in an email to the Hollister Free Lance on July 7 confirming she contracted the virus.

Hollister City Council members are at odds again as an investigation was launched to determine if one member’s trip across the country was authorized.  Hollister Council member Honor Spencer said during the June 15 meeting that she attended the National League of Cities conference in...

With nearly 95 percent of votes in supervisor District 5 counted as of March 10, Bea Gonzales was on her way this week to a stunning upset of four-term incumbent and San Benito County Board of Supervisors Chair Jaime De la Cruz. Gonzales, a teacher,...

With hundreds of vote-by-mail ballot still uncounted as of 6:35 pm Friday, March 6, one San Benito County supervisor was assured of re-election, a four-term incumbent was staring at a possible upset loss and one November race was set. The lingering uncertainty in the supervisor...

Unofficial, incomplete returns tonight showed one incumbent San Benito County supervisor— Mark Medina in District 1—headed towards election with more than 60 percent of vote, and another— Jaime de La Cruz in District 5—hanging on to a razor-thin margin, according to the county Elections...

A citizens group that opposes commercial development of agricultural land submitted an initiative March 2 that would establish an urban growth boundary around the City of Hollister if approved by voters in November. Preserve Our Rural Communities, led by Aromas residents Andy and Mary Hsia-Coron...

The hotly contested races—and the incumbents—attracted the most contributions in San Benito County’s primary election campaigns, according to the latest reports filed with the Elections Office. Nearly $90,000 had been raised through Feb. 15 in the campaigns surrounding Measure K, a referendum on the commercial...

San Benito County voters can cast their Presidential Primary ballots this weekend at the county Elections Office, 9am-3pm Saturday and Sunday. The Elections Office, at 440 5th St., Hollister, has been open for early voting on weekdays 8am-5pm, since Feb. 3, and voting will continue...