Baseball: Williams signs with UC Santa Barbara
Drew Williams made a verbal commitment to play baseball at UC Santa Barbara in May 2015. On Thursday, Williams made things official, signing a letter of intent in the office of San Benito High School District Superintendent John Perales. Even though the senior shortstop knew this moment was coming for a while, he felt a wave of overwhelming joy when he signed his letter of intent.
Bonds between women
It would be hard to find a sillier, funnier way to spend a couple of hours at the theater than by seeing Exit Laughing, presented by Limelight Actors Theater in Gilroy.The comedy, written by Paul Elliott, is best appreciated without much knowledge of the plot beyond the basic setup: Four women in Birmingham, Alabama, have spent the last 30 years deepening their friendship around the bridge table. When one of them dies, the other three mourn her death in an unusual way, involving the “theft” of the urn containing her ashes.Actually, there’s not much plot beyond that, but the story offers some sweet reflections of the importance of friendship (and love) within the gentle comedy.The three surviving friends—Connie (JoAnna Evans), Leona (Rosalind Farotte) and Millie (Christy Wait)—gather at Connie’s home after the funeral. The liquor flows (with Leona happily pouring drinks) but things take an absurd turn when Millie, who is a bit of a ditsy blonde, turns up with the purloined urn for one last bridge game.Over the course of the evening, the three women celebrate their friend’s life and their friendship. There’s some clever, sharp dialogue involving why they are all single, with some of it focused on Connie’s uptight daughter Rachel (Tina Elder-Flores), a college student bemoaning her lack of dating success after being stood up by a classmate (“That girl’s on her own private rollercoaster,” says one of the women).Things get even sillier when a “policeman” (a charming Brennan Perry) starts knocking on the door.The whole business has the feel of a sitcom, perhaps a mashup of Golden Girls andDesigning Women, but in the hands of director Kevin Heath and the entire cast, who all give performances that create the feel of real bonds between the women, the show fulfills the promise of its title.Exit Laughing, by Paul Elliott. Directed by Kevin Heath. Presented by Limelight Actors Theater at the Gilroy Center for the Arts. Playing Nov. 11-13, 18-20 and 25-26. limelightactorstheater.com
Football: Balers begin title quest
Coming off an emotional loss to rival Palma, the San Benito High football team needs to rebound in a hurry if it plans on extending its season. The Haybalers (9-1) earned the No. 2 seed in the Central Coast Section Open Division I playoffs, opening with a 7 p.m. home game on Friday against fellow Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division member and No. 7 seed Salinas (5-5).
Panetta takes father’s lesson to ‘serve the people’ at home
Congressman-Elect Jimmy Panetta said he will strive to "serve the people" on the Central Coast and work to build relationships with the Republican-controlled Congress.
Election 2016: Voter turnout came in lower than expected
Voter turnout in San Benito County was lower than anticipated for this election, according to the San Benito County Elections Office.
Agencies agree to Nash Road closure near SBHS
County supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved an interagency agreement relating to the closure of Nash Road and the Regional Park project.
Election 2016: Panetta takes congressional seat by wide margin
Democratic candidate Jimmy Panetta won the District 20 congressional seat on Tuesday.
Election 2016: San Benito County voters opted for Clinton
With California going Hillary Clinton’s way, before her ultimate defeat Tuesday, local residents shared their views on the 2016 race.
Election 2016: Sims overtakes Burns for council seat
Political newcomer Roy Sims has outlasted Tim Burns for a Hollister council seat.


















