Letter: Standing up for your rights poses dilemma
Since Jan. 20, I have searched for information that could help people who are vulnerable to ICE questioning or worse—detention. Why? Because I have a permanent tan myself—one I used to be grateful for and now one that leads me to worry.
We know now...
Letter: Highest court supports local immigration stance
Good news for our California law enforcement: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in your favor!
I applaud all our law enforcement officials who have pledged to obey our state law, SB 54.
This law, known as the California Values Act, also referred to as the Sanctuary...
Letter: PG&E makes progress lowering energy rates
PG&E is listening and addressing your concerns. In 2025, customers will see more stable electric rates compared to last year.
In January, most residential customers saw electricity costs drop by 4% or $11, helping offset gas price increases. This means that if your usage hasn’t...
Guest view: Honoring a South Valley ‘unconventional hero’
I rise today to adjourn in the memory of Marty Cheek—a beautiful soul, the publisher of Morgan Hill and Gilroy Life, an arts and science advocate, a man who loved his community, and his community loved him.
Marty was born in Hollister and was a...
Letter: Water and maintaining a healthy environment
Re: “Trump takes steps to overhaul CA water delivery,” Free Lance, Jan. 24
“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” To get this message, drive over Pacheco Pass anytime.
At the top is that beautiful San Luis Reservoir that used to exist as a vast valley...
Editorial: Recent traffic deaths remind us to be safe on the roads
Distracted driving is a significant danger for drivers, and it can lead to serious accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. Four such accidents occurred nearby in the past month, killing seven people. The fatalities prompted police to emphasize a message to the public about driving...
Letter: Honor Hollister’s healthcare workers
Who would think that a postage stamp hardly larger than a square inch would give voice and personality to letters. One of the newest releases from the post office is a “Thank You” stamp with a purpose.
The medically related symbols depicted in this stamp...
Letter: Wait and see
Thank you for the Free Lance interview of Zoe Lofgren. She deserves every bit of newsprint. I felt proud of her service on the Jan. 21, 2021 commission so when reading the following quote I wondered how Representative Lofgren would feel now: “I considered...
Letter: Democracy takes work
This time of New Year’s resolutions can be productive or destructive. Let’s see what happened with the old city council. They strongly lost their bid for re-election but then they gave the “finger” to voters by a last gift to developers.
In spite of their...
Letter: A last gift to developers in Hollister
On their last day in office, Dec. 3, 2024, the outgoing Mayor, Mia Casey, and her city council majority (Rick Perez, Dolores Morales and Tim Burns) approved a terrible General Plan. This Plan expands the city's “Sphere of Influence” by 3,000 acres into the...