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San Benito County's unemployment rate ticked up in July, according to the California Employment Development Department.

There have been at least four deaths from the West Nile Virus in California, according to the California Department of Public Health.  

It's been a year to remember for former San Benito High and Gavilan College standout Paige Miguel.

Since stories detailing what appeared to be Gavilan’s mismanagement, inappropriate and possibly illegal use of Measure E bond funds were published, allegations of serious violations of the Ralph M. Brown Act have been made by Gavilan Trustee Tony Ruiz. Last week Ruiz alleged that the Gavilan board violated the rules for a closed session and took a secret vote on redistricting for future elections. I support district elections, but if the allegations are true, it is the worst kind of backroom dealing and it also means they had something to hide.

If you were driving along southbound U.S. 101 around Gilroy last week, you may have passed me. I was in the small, red SUV—not the one speeding by you, but the one stopped along the side of the highway with its emergency flashers blinking.

Friends, if your lawn is luxuriant and green, I’m here to tell you that you’re heading for a heartbreak. And if words such as sage and yucca, poppy, manzanita and native grasses aren’t yet rolling off your tongue, they soon will be.

Since the closure of Fort Ord in 1994, the 28,000 acres that comprised the military base have been spun off into various civilian uses. As a part of that process, on April 12, 2012, President Obama signed a declaration setting aside 14,650 acres—half of the former base—as Fort Ord National Monument. The Bureau of Land Management currently oversees 7,200 acres, and the remainder will be turned over to the BLM once the military completes environmental remediation.

What was once a pair of 18-hole courses—the Diablo and Gabilan—became one 18-hole layout in the first week of July, months after it became clear that the club could no longer support two courses from an economic standpoint. Although painful at first, Ridgemark PGA Head Professional Alex Rodriguez said all of the members involved with the club are finally getting their groove back.

The satellite Planned Parenthood office in San Benito County will close its doors in downtown Hollister on Friday because the lease is up this year and the facility is “outdated,” according to administrators.

Aromas is making a name for itself again. Yes, the little town boasts seven murals, one of them brand spanking new this past week, created by Aromas Hills Artisans. Everyone knows the place is thick with artists of all types. So what’s new? Did you know that for every five artisans there is a writer. There are local authors of everything from magazine articles to children’s books, mysteries, fantasy, history, fiction, philosophy, nonfiction and newspaper articles.