News

In an update to the San Benito Board of Supervisors on Tuesday about the city’s June decision to partner with the county to consolidate fire department resources, Hollister Fire Chief Mike O’Connor said that “so far, everything’s going really well.”

Pixie is a 7-year-old Chihuahua mix who is sweet, good with other dogs and knows tricks. She has been at the San Martin Animal Shelter since July. Interested? Call (408) 686-3900.

Supervisors today received the 2012 crop report from the county agricultural commissioner, who called 2012 “a banner year” for agriculture in the county.

Members of the San Benito County Board of Supervisors voiced concerns Tuesday about implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act, as the controversial law revs up enrollment starting Oct. 1 under the state-run “Covered California” health care exchange.

The Hollister woman who pleaded no contest to trying to slip sleep-aid medication to toddlers under her care at a Morgan Hill daycare facility was sentenced to six months in Santa Clara County Jail on Monday, according to authorities. 

Deborah Gratz, 59 of Hollister, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Kenneth Shapero following a hearing at South County Courthouse in Morgan Hill. She was sentenced to six months in jail followed by four years of formal probation, with a list of conditions for her release during probation, according to Deputy District Attorney Sumerle Davis. 

In May, Gratz pleaded no contest to five counts of attempted child endangerment as part of a plea bargain with the D.A.’s office. 

The misdemeanor charges stem from Gratz’ attempt to put a sleep-aid drug known as Sominex into the sippy-cups of some children under her care at Kiddie Academy daycare in Morgan Hill, authorities said. Gratz had worked at the daycare business since 2007, and has worked in the childcare field for about 20 years. 

The attempted drugging occurred in early March, according to police. Another employee of Kiddie Academy saw Gratz place an unknown substance into the sippy cups of about 10 toddlers between the ages of 1 and 2. 

Staff at Kiddie Academy determined that Gratz had placed the over-the-counter sleep-aid medication in the children’s drinks, police said. The staff fired Gratz and reported the attempted drugging to Morgan Hill police. 

Officers investigated the incident, and arrested Gratz March 11 at her home in Hollister. 

None of the children were harmed by Gratz’ actions, police said. 

Police added that Gratz had a “spotless” record during her career as a daycare professional until the incident at Kiddie Academy was reported. 

Gratz remains out of custody, but she is required to report to South County Courthouse to begin serving her six-month sentence in jail Sept. 27, Davis said.

The Bornia Boys blues band won first place in a field of three bands at The Golden Gate Blues Society International Blues Challenge on Sunday at McGovern's in San Mateo.

Gavilan College will be hosting free information sessions on exciting career training programs in water careers, basic bookkeeping, pharmacy technician and veterinary assistant.

County supervisors Tuesday are scheduled to consider approving the fiscal year 2013-2014 adopted budget resolution, greenlighting specifications for the Cienega Road Realignment Project, and accepting the 2012 crop report.

De La Rosa & Co., an investment bank based in Los Angeles and San Francisco, has awarded a $2,000 scholarship to Jacob Garcia of Hollister’s San Benito High School.

The annual Fall Passport Weekend’s slogan says it all: “Rediscover the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley.”