‘Clowns’ stage theatrical protest at bomb component facility
Art & Rebellion, a Santa Cruz-based self-described resistance group, staged a peaceful theatrical protest at Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company in Hollister on Aug. 21.
Garbed in brilliant colors, goofy hats, glittery jackets, bright red noses and curly wigs, waving umbrellas, batons and plungers, the...
San Benito County Sheriff investigates FB post that allegedly threatened local officials
The San Benito County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a social media page that recently posted a political cartoon that allegedly encouraged violence against public officials and their families, according to authorities.
The Facebook page known as “Benito Beet Beat” published the post on Nov. 3....
Group submits petition for election to recall San Benito County supervisor
Proponents of an effort to recall San Benito County District 5 Supervisor Ignacio Velazquez—who has served on the board for less than one year—submitted a petition with more than 2,200 signatures to election officials last week.
In a Sept. 23 letter to the committee’s treasurer,...
Early voting begins for Nov. 4 special state election
Ballots and voting information packets for the Nov. 4 special statewide election are in the mail for San Benito County’s 37,000-plus registered voters.
Early voting started Oct. 6. Voters can begin casting their ballots by mail; 24-hour drop box; or in person at one of...
San Benito County requests help from state controller’s office as fraud losses mount
San Benito County officials have requested an audit and investigation services from the state controller’s office after a recent fraud incident brought the county’s total known loss of public funds to theft or embezzlement to more than $1.1 million in recent years.
Concerned that there...
Food lines grow as feds suspend food assistance
With thousands of San Benito County residents set to lose their CalFresh benefits due to a suspension of federal funding, local organizations and service providers are preparing for a surge in the need for food assistance this month.
On Nov. 4, the board of supervisors...
Locals join ‘No Kings’ rally
Millions of people across the U.S. gathered in thousands of cities Oct. 18 to protest the Donald Trump Administration. Known nationwide as the “No Kings” protest, demonstrators included hundreds in San Juan Bautista and Hollister. Local protesters displayed handmade signs criticizing the Trump Administration’s...
Judge stalls San Benito County’s attempt to identify social media users
Anonymous Facebook users who run what they describe as a “satirical” social media page have sued San Benito County over its recent efforts to name them as the page’s owners.
At a Nov. 26 online hearing before the California Northern District Court, after receiving arguments...
Velazquez recall moves ahead despite voters’ regrets
The San Benito County Board of Supervisors narrowly rejected a petition to recall one of its members and labeled the effort “illegal” due to allegations that signature gatherers misled local voters.
Some of those voters said during a public hearing at the Nov. 18 board...
County auditor confirms stolen funds recovered from Oct. 15 phishing scam
San Benito County has recovered nearly $700,000 stolen from a recent vendor payment fraud scheme, according to the county Auditor-Controller’s Office.
The recovery of the funds will allow the county to “issue proper payment to the legitimate vendor,” Auditor-Controller Joe Paul Gonzalez said in a...
