News

The Hollister City Council is set to hold budget hearings Wednesday and Thursday in anticipation of a budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year.

Seniors council to give out farmers market vouchers

Pinnacles summer speaker series starts: The Pinnacles National Park Summer Speakers series starts June 8 with the “Hands of the Land” lecture at Soledad Library at 2 p.m. A ranger will help visitors learn about people who shaped the Salinas Valley into the “salad bowl of America.” The lecture will explore the lives of area farmers, immigrants, activists and writers with family friendly activities. The second lecture, “Cowboy Poetry,” will be June 15 at 2 p.m. Pinnacles Nation Park’s west side entrance. Janice Gilbertson will share stories and poetry with visitors. On June 22 at 2 p.m., for “Life of the Amah Mutsun,” Valentin Lopez will speak on the west side of the park. Lopez will discuss the culture and history of the tribal band. Park entrance fees apply for the speaker events inside the park.

The Morgan Hill Unified School District is still deciding whether to accept Navigator Schools’ petition to open a new charter school in the city for 2014-15, and has instead requested a 30-day extension of the mandatory June 15 deadline to vote.

See a rundown of this week's suspected crimes reported by the Hollister Police Department.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving honored a Hollister police officer last weekend for making 25 driving while intoxicated arrests in 2012, according to the Hollister Police Department in a statement.

Gilroy’s Polar Express mobile Ice Cream Trolley and DJ made its Grand Debut at the Memorial Day Parade. This fun little ice cream trolley drove through the parade with its owners, husband and wife team, Kelli and Dave Aita, bumping beats, waving and smiling and introducing themselves to the community. “People were dancing in the streets and waving and smiling right back at us. It was an amazing community experience to be a part of,” Kelli said. “My grandfather was a merchant marine that was honored with two Purple Hearts in World War II and just passed last year at the age of 97. It was a great way to honor him on Memorial Day.” The Polar Express Ice Cream Trolley and DJ is available for private parties, weddings, fundraisers and any other event you can think of. For more information about the Polar Express, visit www.thepolarexpress.info or call (408) 595-3963.

MommyJuice Wines hosted the 3rd annual Mom's Nite Out on May 9, at the Clos LaChance Winery in San Martin. The party gives moms a night off the Thursday before Mother's Day and includes wine, shopping, food, dancing and giveaways. Proceeds go to Family Giving Tree. At right are Claire McAdams, Megan Freiermuth, Christine Trice and Cheryl Durzy, founder of MommyJuice Wines.

Property owners living in the mosquito abatement district may see their annual property assessment increase by 82 cents if San Benito County supervisors approve the change after a public hearing on July 9.

United Way staff members have been working with other nonprofits and government agencies on potentially bringing a referral service to San Benito County that would make it more easy for residents to connect with the dozens of programs available in the community.