San Benito County Office of Education offers literacy certification
As part of its Building Bridges to Literacy Initiative, the San Benito County Office of Education began a new Early Literacy Certification Program on Feb. 3. The program brings early literacy classes to daycare providers and preschool teachers throughout San Benito County and is...
A guide to state propositions on the Nov. 5 ballot
With election day approaching, voters have several state propositions from which to choose. Below is a brief description of each of them. For a deeper dive, visit voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions.
Proposition 2
Public School and Community College Facilities
Under Prop. 2, the state would sell a $10 billion bond...
Hospital auxiliary offers scholarships for medical studies
Applications for the 2025 Hazel Hawkins Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Awards are now available.
Each year, the Auxiliary awards scholarships to students who are pursuing a medical or medically oriented career, says a press release from Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital. The total amount awarded to each...
Community Foundation welcomes Shannon Chastaine
The Community Foundation for San Benito County recently hired Shannon Chastaine as its new Director of Development and Donor Services. With a career dedicated to fostering relationships, advancing meaningful causes and aligning donor passions with impactful giving, Chastaine brings a wealth of experience and...
Family secures 140-year legacy by conserving Silacci Ranch
The 9,400-acre Silacci Ranch—a sprawling landscape that stretches from the Salinas Valley floor to the peaks of the Gabilan Range—will be protected forever from suburban sprawl following a recent agreement between the property owner and a California land trust.
The Silacci Ranch is located in...
Local Scene: Locals graduate from university
Locals graduate
Claire Cagnacci, of Hollister, and Lauren Dean, of San Juan Bautista, were awarded degrees from the University of Alabama at recent spring commencement ceremonies.
Cagnacci received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Information Sciences. Dean received a Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental...
Local LULAC council honored
California State League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) recently named the San Benito County LULAC Council 2890 as the 2024 statewide Council of the Year, says a press release from the local organization.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the San Benito County LULAC...
SBA offers loans to winter storm victims
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is providing disaster assistance to small businesses and persons in San Benito County that were affected by the winter storms earlier this year.
The SBA is offering low-interest loans to those who suffered damage or financial loss due...
South Valley unites for farmworkers
On a recent December afternoon, about 30 volunteers gathered at St. Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista to give their efforts to the sprawling, multifaceted Farmworker Caravan—an annual holiday donation drive for families in need in five counties.
Labeled a “Santa’s Workshop,” the Dec....
County education hosts successful Family Well-being Festival
The San Benito County Office of Education led and organized the first countywide Family Wellbeing Festival March 20 at Veterans Memorial Hall. The festival welcomed more than 400 attendees for an evening focused on mental health, wellness and community support, says a press release...
















