News

Even though the San Benito High girls volleyball team didn’t have a Covid spring season, Mia Villegas—the lone returner from the last time the Haybalers had a season in 2019—said all was not lost.  From last winter and into the spring, the players met for...

Greg Brazil said there are plenty of reasons to believe the Anzar High football team’s upcoming season will be markedly different than the last couple of years.  In 2021, the Hawks finished 0-5 and were outscored by their opponents by a combined margin of 251-42....

Hollister police are investigating what Mayor Ignacio Velazquez calls a “hate crime” against a council member by prominent local lobbyist and former mayor Victor Gomez. Velazquez announced the investigation in a written statement to the Free Lance before the Jan. 21 city council meeting and...

In the race for three seats on the San Juan Bautista City Council, Jackie Morris-Lopez continues to lead the field with 22.61%, or 346 ballots in her favor. Following are Leslie Q. Jordan with 20.59%, Edwin J. Sabathia with 19.74%, Jose Aranda with 19.15%...

The San Juan Bautista City Council’s unanimous denial of an appeal Jan. 21 allows a restaurant proposed for downtown to move forward. Watsonville-based developer Raeid Farhat purchased the 1870 La Casa Rosa building at 107 Third St. in October for $225,100, according to MLS Listings....

The Northern California Renaissance Faire will soon wrap up its 20th anniversary year at Casa de Fruta in Hollister, with one last weekend allowing guests to step back in time for medieval revelry, camaraderie, entertainment and competition.  The festival features merchandise from fine artisans and...

San Benito County officials announced this week that new areas of the county may be one step closer to reopening. The California Department of Public Health issued a press release May 25 stating that a statewide reopening of places of worship for religious services and...

After a standoff at a Hollister residence, police arrested three people on suspicion of firearms, drugs and child endangerment violations Friday morning, according to authorities.

Brett Miller, Hollister’s assistant city manager and manager of administrative services, is acting city manager. Miller’s appointment Friday afternoon, Nov. 15, was one of the last acts of Bill Avera on his last day on the job before his retirement as city manager. One day earlier,...

The Federal Bureau of Land Management is limiting target shooting on public lands in San Benito County starting Saturday. In a press release dated July 21, the BLM states that the limit would begin July 22 from 30 minutes before sunrise until 12 p.m. The agency...