Politics

If you have ever considered running for local office, now is your chance. Monday Feb. 12 kicked off the nomination period for the June 5, 2018 Statewide Primary Election. The nomination period ends on Friday, March 9, a date that can be extended to Wednesday,...

San Benito County Supervisor Robert Rivas’ political campaign announced last week the endorsement of Equality California in the race for the 30th State Assembly District. “I am extremely proud to be endorsed by Equality California,” Rivas said. “I am dedicated to making sure all Californians...

San Benito County voters may be asked again this fall to vote on a countywide sales tax, a one-cent levy that would fund road repairs, maintenance and transportation projects. Voters rejected a sales tax measure in 2016. The Council of San Benito County Governments, the county’s...

The Hollister City Council unanimously voted Monday night to allow recreational cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and testing businesses to operate within city limits. Recreational, or adult-use, dispensaries and retail sales are still prohibited, but medical cannabis will be available from two dispensaries—Purple Cross Rx...

A new state law is moving the date of the election of San Benito County’s Board of Education trustees from June to November, county election officials said this week. That means the new filing period for filing as a candidate for one of the two...

Democratic state Assemblywoman Anna Caballero—a state Senate candidate this year—faced criticism last week after a California-based progressive advocacy group announced her inclusion in a “Hall of Shame.” Caballero received an “F” grade in the third annual “Courage Score” report card for voting against environmental protection,...

The California Democratic Party on Saturday gave a pre-endorsement to San Benito County Supervisor Robert Rivas at the Region 7 Pre-Endorsement Conference. The pre-endorsement comes just three weeks after Rivas officially launched his campaign for the 30th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Morgan...

The San Benito County Board of Supervisors took steps Tuesday to begin new energy conservation measures at county buildings, including potentially constructing solar panels. County leaders listened to a presentation by ENGIE Services US, the North American branch of an international energy company, that reported...

Current Monterey County Supervisor and former Watsonville Mayor Luis Alejo announced Monday his decision not to run for State Senate. Instead, Alejo has decided to focus on the pressing needs facing Monterey County. “Over the last year, I have really grown into my new job...

The Hollister City Council held a first reading of a proposed growth management program Tuesday that could cap the construction of single-family residential housing to 244 units annually. Affordable housing, senior housing, secondary or accessory units, special needs housing, and rentals would all be exempt...