Betabel node developer changes plans from commercial to housing
The owner of a 23-acre property on Highway 101—where the Betabel Commercial Development proposal has been the subject of an environmental study and lawsuit—recently filed an application to change plans to allow hundreds of new homes.
Property owner McDowell Family Trust and architect Henry Ruhnke...
Hollister nonprofit opens feasibility study for new arts center
Pinnacle Arts Association announced the official kickoff of the Hollister Cultural Arts Center Feasibility Study, a major step toward creating San Benito County’s first purpose-built home for community arts, culture and live events, says a press release from Pinnacle Arts.
The study—led by nationally recognized...
Gavilan College student workers begin unionizing
Student workers at Gavilan College are organizing what they say would be the first student workers union at a community college in California, aiming to address wage disparities and improve working conditions at their Gilroy and Hollister campuses, and inspire other students to follow...
South Valley farm maintains Halloween fall tradition
Squeals of laughter and the scent of hay filled the air as children raced through the corn maze, picked out pumpkins nearly as big as they were, and enjoyed rides at the annual fall festival at Swank Farms—a beloved South Valley tradition marking the...
San Benito County advises residents to prepare for delay of November food stamp benefits
Local CalFresh recipients will see a delay in their benefits in November due to the federal government shutdown, says a notice from the San Benito County Health & Human Services Agency.
San Benito County currently serves 7,742 people and 3,794 families with CalFresh benefits, which...
Statewide cleanup effort includes inaugural ‘Trashure Hunt’
California Coastal Cleanup Day will celebrate its 41st year this September with its first ever “Trashure Hunt,” offering participants the chance to win a variety of prizes by volunteering to pick up litter and garbage at hundreds of locations across the state, organizers announced...
Alliance launches TotalCare all-in-one health plan
Central California Alliance for Health this week announced the launch of TotalCare, a Medicare Advantage plan that is also a dual-eligible special needs plan. The plan offers all-in-one care for those eligible for Medi-Cal and Medicare, and is available for people in San Benito,...
San Benito Stage Company brings ‘Beetlejuice Jr.’ to unlife
Ghosts, demons and moody teenagers are set to haunt the stage this season with San Benito Stage Company’s production of “Beetlejuice Jr.,” opening Oct. 24. This dark dramedy runs for three weekends in Hollister with eight performances, including two shows during Halloween weekend.
“It’s a...
County Ed. Assistant Supe honored by Filipina Women’s Network
Gwendolyn Baquiran, San Benito County Office of Education’s Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, has been selected to receive the Filipina Women’s Network’s 2025 Most Influential Filipina Women of the World Award in the category of “Innovator & Thought Leader; Pioneer of Progress.”
Chosen from a...
A rodeo for everyone
The ninth annual Baler Buckaroo at Hollister High School on Oct. 23 brought classmates from all backgrounds and abilities together to enjoy an inclusive hands-on rodeo experience catered for students with special needs.
Hosted by the Hollister High FFA program, the Baler Buckaroo took place...
