Nonprofits

Gary Byrne, the longtime CEO of the Community Foundation for San Benito County, has stepped down from his role with the local nonprofit organization, the Community Foundation announced this week.  Byrne’s decision comes with a mix of emotions for the local organization, which bids farewell...

Reps announce $1M in funding for climate mitigation efforts U.S. Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Anna Eshoo (CA-16), Ro Khanna (CA-17) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will distribute $1 million to Santa Clara and San Benito counties to develop...

New telehealth service available for pet care The East Bay SPCA has launched a telemedicine service available to all California residents for a variety of services like consultations and accessing certain prescriptions.  Appointments can be made for prescriptions for preventive treatments such as flea, tick and...

Cool in the parks Water features at Valley View and McCarthy Parks in Hollister are now operational every day from 11am-7pm, through Sept. 29.  San Benito County’s 150th Celebrate San Benito County’s sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary on July 27 at the San Benito Historical park. The party...

Latin Night Dance Parties continue The San Benito County Arts Council’s new series of Latin Night Dance Parties take place at Grillin & Chillin Alehouse, 401 McCray St., #B24 in Hollister. Attendees can learn Salsa, Bachata, Merengue and Cumbia. All levels of dance experience welcome, no...

On a recent July afternoon, Calaveras School buzzed with activity and enthusiasm. In one classroom, students made and played songs on iPads under Andrew Iriarte’s instruction. The instructor explained how they can use GarageBand to play piano, drums and guitar to record songs—and he mentioned...

Kirkland named to Dean’s List Samuel Kirkland, of Hollister, was named to the LeTourneau University fall 2023 Dean’s List. Kirkland is majoring in Aircraft Systems, says a press release from the university.  The Dean's List recognizes students who have achieved a grade point average between 3.50...

SVCreates, a regional nonprofit devoted to promoting and improving access to the arts, will celebrate dozens of 2023 California Arts Council Artist Fellows at an Aug. 10 event in Gilroy. The event will recognize 29 artist fellows from San Benito, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Santa Clara...

U.S. Army veteran Ramon Reyes and his chocolate labrador, Huey—who are clients of San Martin-based Operation Freedom Paws—were recently recognized in an effort to highlight the life-changing impact that service dogs can have on military veterans who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder.  Huey and...

IRS-certified volunteers will be offering free income tax filing assistance—and tacos—for eligible local residents April 5 in Hollister. The event, known as “Tacos & Taxes,” will take place 1-5pm at the Jovenes de Antaño senior center, 300 West Street. Free tax services will be available,...