The Red Phone was ringing again this week and the Crimson
Crusader was on the case. Got a question, need an answer? Call the
Red Phone
– always listening, always online, always at 635-9219.
The Red Phone was ringing again this week and the Crimson Crusader was on the case. Got a question, need an answer? Call the Red Phone – always listening, always online, always at 635-9219.
Homeless Help
After a TV news broadcast claimed San Benito County was busing homeless people to other areas, the Red Phone began ringing.
“I just saw this huge thing on TV regarding homeless in Hollister and the problems we have here and how we ship people to surrounding areas by bus and why we should have things. Of course, the Armory is not convenient and it also belongs to the federal government not the city. What about Fremont School? It’s in the city and empty. The county has the old Southside Hospital and it’s empty. So there you go, I don’t know why people don’t think of this stuff.”
“I just saw on the news last night that Hollister and San Benito County are having trouble with the homeless. As a way to solve the problem, they buy homeless people bus tickets and send them to other cities. Isn’t it ironic that the city just spent $1.8 million for an animal shelter, yet the city and the county can’t get together to find some sort of homeless shelter for people in desperate need.”
The Free Lance investigated the allegation that county sheriff deputies were busing homeless people to other communities. However, Sheriff Curtis Hill said no such activity is occurring and it has not occurred for at about 30 years. However, the issue of a homeless shelter for San Benito County has been debated by local governments. The Armory was discussed as a possible location for a shelter but the Federal Aviation Administration did not support the idea. The city of Hollister did spend $618,000 on the land for an animal shelter last March, but the building is still receiving bids from contractors and final cost has not been calculated, according to City Clerk Geri Johnson. When the project was approved in March, then City Manager Dale Shaddox estimated the total cost at $2.2 million. The cost of the building will come entirely from Redevelopment funds according to the city. To let your city council members and county supervisors know your opinion call them 636-4300 for the city and 636-4000 for the county.
Weather Watcher
Local children’s artistic touch enchants reader
“I read the Free Lance everyday and everyday I say I’m going to make a phone call. I just want to comment on the weather pictures that the kids put out everyday. I think it’s the greatest thing you have in the paper. I skip from the front page to take a look at the weather picture everyday to see what’s going on in their minds and what they think. I think it’s great, keep it up.”
Greater than the Red Phone? We certainly appreciate the input from local children and the compliment. The Free Lance is always looking for more kids to submit weather pictures. Parents, teachers and children, feel free to send your pictures to the Free Lance, 350 Sixth St., Hollister, CA 95023 or call City Editor Marcus Hibdon at 637-5566 ext. 332. Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to participate.
