Schools

Public schools in San Benito County won't be offering much white bread or whole milk in school meals following stricter U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition standards effective earlier this month.

This year, getting a free ticket to the Exploratorium in San Francisco could be as easy as going to the library and printing out a pass.

Every year, the Hazel Hawkins Hospitals Auxiliary works hard to raise money to provide scholarships for students in health-related fields. According to the hospital – over a span of 60 years, the auxiliary has awarded $353,920 in scholarships. This year, it awarded $30,000 to 35 recipients who are students studying in various medical fields.

If leukemia has taught Hollister resident Jose Rocha anything, it's that cancer teaches a kind of empathy that helps him understand other people. Rocha, 18, was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia nearly five months ago. Since his diagnosis on Valentine's Day, Rocha experienced great acts of kindness and unkindness that left him wondering why people behave the way they do.

The spot of darkness in his right eye is growing. It gets bigger and bigger until he can't see out of that eye. He's also losing vision in his left eye.

Hollister School District officials don't anticipate much additional money for public schools after taking a look at Gov. Jerry Brown's May revision of the state budget.

Trustees from the Hollister School District this week approved a resolution in a 4-0 vote that will place a $28.5 million school facilities bond on the Nov. 4 election ballot.

Jose Rocha was like any other high school student, until his body started breaking down from illness.

The San Benito County Farm Bureau is sponsoring a summer reading program for children ages 5-12 on Wednesdays this summer, with weekly gatherings at the San Benito County Free Library.

Hollister School District trustees this week discussed priorities for a $28.5 million facilities bond and approved a contract for bond counsel services.