News

San Juan Bautista council members voted 3-2 to endorse the Measure J initiative on the Nov. 4 ballot.

San Juan Bautista officials in August reinstated a long-held ban against franchise businesses, but an exemption in that 2007 version of the law allows the city to approve franchise businesses such as the proposed, debated gas station at Windmill Market, the city manager told the Free Lance.

San Juan Bautista Councilman Tony Boch gave a standard report at Tuesday's council meeting about the latest Council of San Benito County Governments board meeting he attended and reported that "nothing affecting San Juan" happened there.

San Juan Bautista officials Tuesday discussed a fire caused by explosion to a camper Oct. 13 at The Alameda.

Read the latest blotter items as reported by the Hollister Police Department.

With laughter, love and awkward moments, it's easy to see why "The Affections of May" is Norm Foster's most produced play. Pintello Comedy Theater has chosen the popular comedy by Canada's most-produced playwright for its November production, with Rod Pintello directing. With the characters and storyline, this light-hearted romp strives to tickle your funny bone and make you feel right at home.

County supervisors Tuesday approved a 45-day moratorium that bans the cutting down of mature trees – a move in response to quarreling between homeowners and owners of Ridgemark golf club.

Authorities added another suspected victim to the criminal complaint against Paradise Valley Elementary School teacher John Loyd, 52 of Hollister, and a judge denied the suspected child molester’s request to reduce bail at an Oct. 20 hearing. 

Loyd remains in custody at Santa Clara County Jail with no bail on charges that he sexually assaulted three female victims. At least one of the children was a student at Paradise Valley who alleged being assaulted by Loyd in his fifth-grade classroom, according to authorities.

Investigators have declined to release any further information about the other two victims.

Loyd pleaded not guilty to a total of five charges at the Monday hearing at South County Courthouse, where Superior Court Judge Alfonso Fernandez heard and denied his request to reduce bail. 

With the latest charge added to the list of allegations against Loyd on Monday, he now faces five counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office. Each charge carries a penalty of 15 years to life in prison. 

Loyd was arrested by Morgan Hill police Oct. 2, after a student at Paradise Valley alleged to another staff member that the teacher made inappropriate contact with her. 

The ongoing investigation has found that Loyd made similar contact with two other students, according to authorities. 

Loyd has been a teacher at MHUSD since 2000. He has taught at Paradise Valley Elementary School since 2008.

The Morgan Hill Unified School District placed Loyd on administrative leave immediately after his arrest, according to MHUSD staff. As of his first court appearance Oct. 7, that leave has been unpaid. 

Loyd’s next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 13 to set a preliminary hearing date.

Councilman Victor Gomez expressed frustration Monday about a recent vote on the Council of San Benito County Governments board against putting Highway 25 on a key funding list.

Hollister Mayor Ignacio Velazquez announced Monday the county and city have been awarded a $1.5 million grant to go toward a new, year-round homeless facility.