Opinion

A decade ago, California summers brought not only heat, but the threat of rolling blackouts. Extreme heat waves pushed our electricity system to the brink, leaving millions without power when they needed it most.  The story has changed. Thanks to battery energy storage systems (BESS),...

Author reflects on iconic moment, upcoming local performances Every August, I reminisce about my adventurous week at the legendary Woodstock Music & Art Fair, now 56 years ago. I think about the heat and humidity and the smell of patchouli oil, incense, cow manure and...

Like the TV commercial that promotes a squeeze product in a tube to repair damage, our county wants us to prepare for the next damage. According to the Free Lance, our county wants us to attend a workshop and to respond to a survey...

Some time ago, recall campaigns against Supervisors Kollin Kosmicki and Ignacio Velasquez kicked off their petition drive.  Proponents write, “This recall is necessary to restore integrity, transparency and respectful leadership to San Benito County.” It’s a noble aspiration, even if it is a bit generic....

We are excited to bring you the Inaugural Battle of the Bands and Car Show to honor a Band of Brothers Fundraiser.  VFW Auxiliary 9242 and APEX Specialty Planning is honored to sponsor this family fun event at Bolado Park Event Center as a fundraiser...

In a fast-paced world often defined by digital interactions and fragmented routines, community festivals and local events serve as powerful reminders of what truly binds us together: shared experiences, cultural expression and human connection.  These gatherings, whether a neighborhood block party, a cultural celebration or...

At a recent Town Hall in Aromas, a resident asked me to describe the vision for tourism as an economic driver in San Benito County.  I explained how it all starts with Pinnacles National Park. If we are going to reach our potential as a...

There are moments in life that don’t announce themselves with fanfare or ceremony. They arrive quietly, leaving behind a memory that settles into your bones.  Nine of us taking an early morning walk Saturday, July 19 to scatter Marty Cheek’s ashes at Henry Coe State...

Re: Food security critical on Central Coast, Free Lance, July 11, 2025  “We are all one common group,” clarified Harley Davidson biker wife at rally on San Benito Street, as colorful, stylish, multi-variety models of mechanical two and three wheel wonders paraded.   I assume that one...

When someone in our community is murdered, the pain reaches beyond the victim. It devastates families, close friends, neighbors and often the entire town. In the wake of such violence, our attention tends to focus on the police investigation or the court case. But...