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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.

The co-chairman of the Marley Holte Holiday Dinners asked Hollister council members Monday to name the grassy lot in the 400 block of San Benito Street as "Marley Holte Plaza" to honor the late Good Samaritan.

Today is the last day to register to vote in California for the Nov. 4 election.

A slightly surprised fluffy white kitty came out of the surgery room and went straight into the arms of her eight-year-old owner Jenna Hunt.

A Measure J proponent is concerned opponents’ advertisements are using “unfounded claims” – particularly the no side’s portrayal of a May editorial published in the Free Lance – while a vice president with the opposition’s ad agency contended the yes side has been misleading by largely focusing its message on fracking, one component of a broader initiative.

In light of questions from voters and campaigns about sign damage and thefts, the elections office has released a list of guidelines regarding signs.