News

After months of working its way through the House of Representatives and into the Senate, a bill to make Pinnacles National Monument into a national park was approved this week and awaits the signature of President Barack Obama to make it official.

Since the start of 2012, Hollister code enforcement staff members have received 25 reports of substandard housing matters – with other reports coming into the county's jurisdiction as well.

The Hollister man suspected of killing 25-year-old Heather Carroll had a preliminary hearing scheduled for early March.

There are various contracts that require one party to use their “best efforts” to take some action or to accomplish some task. Parties often get into disputes as to what it means to use “best efforts” and whether a party has actually met this requirement. The “best efforts” standard has never been clearly defined until a recently decided California appellate court case.

San Juan School will be having a Parent Workshop for their Dual Language Immersion Program Jan. 9, in the school’s cafeteria from 6 to 7:30 p.m. This workshop is for families currently enrolled in the K-5th grade program and for interested preschool and kindergarten families. Leading the workshop will be one of California’s leading experts on dual language education, Rosa Molina from the Association of Two-Way & Dual Language Education. Topics include the benefits of being fluent in two or more languages starting in kindergarten and what expectations parents should have for their children acquiring a second language. Childcare will be provided. Please call Sara Frieberg at 623-9945 for any questions or the school’s office at 623-4538.

Thousands of Los Banosans commute to the South Bay to work each day, and 2012 was the year when discussion surfaced about turning Highway 152 into a toll road.

A Hollister man was sentenced Thursday to nearly 10 years in prison for convictions related to a 2011 assault charge.

With the presidential race nationally and Hollister’s first mayor’s race locally – along with many other consequential ballot questions and contests – it was a year defined by politics in San Benito County. The following is a rundown of many important political matters throughout 2012.

Casa de Fruta New Year’s Eve: Casa de Fruta will host its traditional gala New Year's Eve Party, Dec. 31, from 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Catered dinner and dancing with champagne and party favors make it an unforgettable start to the new year. With the Inn and RV Park just steps away from the activities, spend a leisurely New Year's at Casa de Fruta without having to drive. Details: 1-800-548-3813

The Hollister-Gilroy area California Highway Patrol office will offer two safe driving programs in January – one for teenage drivers and one for senior citizen drivers.