Politics

County officials will consider the possibility of hiring a third party to conduct surveying related to a sales tax measure in 2016.

Required as part of First 5 San Benito becoming an independent entity separate from the county, the board of supervisors must approve a separation agreement and a contract for a parent health educator going forward.

County supervisors Tuesday are set to consider rate increases for the John Smith Landfill and will hold a public hearing on the matter.

County officials apparently don't plan to walk the line with the Brown Act again at next week's meeting.

Hollister council members Monday will consider a contract to provide emergency response services to the Panoche Valley Solar Project.

With three consecutive absences from monthly meetings and lacking communication on them, Robert Kutz was facing possible removal from the city's parks and recreation commission. Shortly before the meeting to consider his removal, however, Kutz offered his resignation, officials announced Monday.

Hollister officials want to stir the creative senses, so to speak, by considering a design competition for some type of Pinnacles National Park promotion on the west side.

Shani Kleinhaus believes the Panoche Valley could become a refuge for many species and she sees its big solar project—awaiting state and federal permits—as a roadblock toward that and other environmental goals.

In an effort to curb smoking by local youth, Santa Clara County on Tuesday became the first county in California to raise the purchasing age for tobacco and electronic smoking products from 18 to 21.

Despite state and federal agencies still holding proverbial keys to their project, investors behind a Panoche Valley solar farm have already spent about $50 million on pre-construction and application efforts, a spokeswoman for the endeavor confirmed Monday.