Gavilan College recognizes nation’s first student workers union
Gavilan College and the Gavilan Student Workers Union jointly announced that the college has recognized GSWU as the exclusive representative of student worker employees of the Gavilan Joint Community College District.
This is the first time a community college student workers union has been voluntarily...
Grant helps save farmland in San Benito County
San Benito Agricultural Land Trust this week announced it has received grant funding to support two significant land conservation projects in San Benito County.
Grants totaling more than $3.4 million will partially fund the purchase of the 586-acre San Antonio Ranch in San Juan Bautista,...
Gilroy Garlic Queen is crowned
Rachael Gallagher wears the crown as the 2026 Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen, winning the distinction at the festival’s annual scholarship pageant on April 19.
Gallagher, 25, is a Gilroy native and a graduate of Gilroy High School’s Class of 2018, according to the Gilroy...
Donor pledges $50k match for nonprofit grants from Community Foundation for San Benito County
The Community Foundation for San Benito County (CFSBC) recently announced the launch of its 2026 Spring Grants Campaign, a community fundraising initiative running April 6-May 1. The foundation announced on April 22 that a generous local donor has pledged $50,000 to match every community...
Students showcase artistic talents at annual event
The San Benito County Office of Education (SBCOE) hosted the 10th annual San Benito County Arts Showcase on April 9, giving local students the opportunity to display and demonstrate their creative talents.
The event took place at the Veterans Memorial Building in Hollister, in partnership...
Mobile Dental Van brings vital health services to San Benito County
Everyone enrolled in Medi-Cal, the state’s public health insurance program, is eligible to receive free dental care. However, many patients can’t regularly make it to the dentist—or send their children to one—because they live in rural areas where services are scarce, transportation is a...
Film, panel celebrate diversity, self expression
A short animated film featuring the final performance of Paul Reubens, best known for his role as Pee-wee Herman, screened April 14 during the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival in Morgan Hill as part of the festival’s LGBTQ+ day of programming.
“The Crown with a...
Gilroy Garlic Festival tickets for South Valley locals go on sale Sunday
Tickets go on sale April 19—for local residents only—for the 2026 Gilroy Garlic Festival. The exclusive first release of tickets is reserved for residents who live in Gilroy and within a 20-mile radius, the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association announced on April 14.
The residents-only sale...
Festival kicks off with star-studded gala
The Poppy Jasper International Film Festival celebrated its 20th anniversary April 10 with a star-studded opening gala at the Granada Theater in Morgan Hill, featuring the world premier of the festival’s very own music video, a keynote address from a Grammy-winning Gilroy native and...
From a galaxy far, far away to San Juan Bautista
Several dozen filmmakers and “Star Wars” fans were surprised when five characters from the iconic series showed up for the films at the Barn at Mission Farm in San Juan Bautista.
The costumed fans arrived Sunday evening at the end of a Q&A with Jon...


















