News

The controversial roundabout planned for the Highway 25/156 intersection at Hollister’s north end is moving forward and is on schedule, according to Caltrans. Brandy Rider, the Department of Transportation project manager, reported in response to a Free Lance inquiry that the project is fully funded,...

It’s the Friday before Thanksgiving break, and Katherine Alosi’s third grade class is working diligently on their latest assignment. In any other classroom, this may be a rarity—especially an hour from dismissal—but this Gabilan Hills Elementary School class has proven to be an exception...

The historic orchard in the center of downtown San Juan Bautista recently got a makeover. Known as the first phase of renovation work, crews from Hollister-based Lee Landscaping removed dead trees and installed drip irrigation throughout the orchard. A wood chip mulch was installed...

Volunteers gathered at Calvary-Sacred Heart Cemetery in Hollister on Dec. 14 as part of National Wreaths Across America Day. The volunteers placed nearly 800 wreaths on the graves of veterans buried in the cemetery. National Wreaths Across America Day is carried out by coordinating...

Hollister Police Chief David Westrick anticipates certain aspects of his life won’t change much after he retires from a 30-year law enforcement career before the end of this month.

The new March 3 date for the 2020 California primary may be great news for some presidential candidates, but for county and state legislative candidates, it means a longer—and likely more expensive—campaign season. Instead of announcing their candidacies in the fall, county supervisor and state...

San Benito County opened its first-ever year-round emergency homeless shelter two years ago, and a new report shows it has been a big success. More than 70 unsheltered people found permanent housing and more than 50 found jobs since the H.O.M.E. (Housing, Opportunities, Meals, Empowerment)...

Hollister is looking for a new police chief, to replace retiring David Westrick who retires at the end of this month. Greeting the new chief will be a sobering consultant report delivered to the city council last month that recommends a nearly 80 percent increase...

San Benito High School’s annual Canned Food Drive to benefit Community Food Bank of San Benito County brought in 4,694 items, which will be donated to the organization that provides food, nutritional education and advocacy for locals in need. Activities Director Catalina Lemos, who organized...