Hollister Free Lance

26/07/2024

Local Scene: Twice a year Aromas Hills Artisans share their love of the arts by offering to the public a Summer Fun Workshop.

Cool in the parks Water features at Valley View and McCarthy Parks in Hollister are now operational every day from 11am-7pm, through Sept. 29.  San Benito County’s 150th Celebrate San Benito County’s sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary on July 27 at the San Benito Historical park. The party ...

26/07/2024

The San Benito County Board of Supervisors is placing an advisory measure on the Nov. 5 ballot regarding the potential private sale of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital. The non-binding measure would ask voters if they prefer to keep the Hollister hospital locally owned.

The San Benito County Board of Supervisors is placing an advisory measure on the Nov. 5 ballot regarding the potential private sale of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital. The non-binding measure would ask voters if they prefer to keep the Hollister hospital locally owned.  This comes after the San Ben...

26/07/2024

SVCreates, a regional nonprofit devoted to promoting and improving access to the arts, will celebrate dozens of 2023 California Arts Council Artist Fellows at an Aug. 10 event in Gilroy.

SVCreates, a regional nonprofit devoted to promoting and improving access to the arts, will celebrate dozens of 2023 California Arts Council Artist Fellows at an Aug. 10 event in Gilroy. The event will recognize 29 artist fellows from San Benito, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Santa Clara and San Mateo. Hono...

25/07/2024

San Benito County was formed on Feb. 12, 1874, from a section of Monterey County. On July 27, 2024, the community will celebrate San Benito County’s 150th anniversary at the Historical Park in Tres Pinos with an extravaganza complete with entertainment, a petting zoo, jump houses, vendors, kids’ activities, presentations and more.

San Benito County was formed on Feb. 12, 1874, from a section of Monterey County.  On July 27, 2024, the community will celebrate San Benito County’s 150th anniversary at the Historical Park in Tres Pinos with an extravaganza complete with entertainment, a petting zoo, jump houses, vendors, kids....

19/07/2024

The Hollister School District once again operated a successful Extended School Year (ESY) program for a month of the summer, giving eligible students opportunities to prevent learning loss and keep structured schedules.

The Hollister School District once again operated a successful Extended School Year (ESY) program for a month of the summer, giving eligible students opportunities to prevent learning loss and keep structured schedules.  The ESY program ran from June 12-July 12 at Rancho Santana School. ESY is an e...

19/07/2024

Local Scene: The San Benito County Free Library this week informed users that the Wi-Fi service for the Chromebooks distributed in 2023 ended on June 30, 2024. https://sanbenito.com/local-scene-24k-magic-maroon-vibes-at-upcoming-hollister-concert/

19/07/2024

Austin Curtis has been appointed the new San Benito County Librarian.

Austin Curtis, who has worked at the San Benito County Free Library for about 18 months, was named this week as the library’s new librarian.  Before starting his work with the local library, located at 470 Fifth Street in Hollister, Curtis worked about 18 months for the Merced County Library, acc...

16/07/2024

Police are asking for help from the public to identify the suspect or suspects who “severely damaged” a Hollister apartment complex by setting off an illegal fireworks explosion on Independence Day, authorities said.

Police are asking for help from the public to identify the suspect or suspects who “severely damaged” a Hollister apartment complex by setting off an illegal fireworks explosion on Independence Day, authorities said.  The Hollister Police Department announced on July 13 that the city is offerin...

16/07/2024

One of the convicted business owners did business in Hollister, according to authorities.

In two separate Santa Clara County workers’ compensation insurance fraud cases, a child therapist and San Jose father and son business owners will face serious sentences for committing felony fraud, according to authorities. Mark Anthony Ramos, 50, of Escondido, owner of Stars Bay Area Therapy Gro...

15/07/2024

The Hollister School District held a groundbreaking ceremony July 1 for three new CUUBE modular buildings at Sunnyslope, Ladd Lane and Calaveras Elementary Schools.

The Hollister School District held a groundbreaking ceremony July 1 for three new CUUBE modular buildings at Sunnyslope, Ladd Lane and Calaveras Elementary Schools.  The Board of Trustees allocated $5.17 million in Extended Learning Opportunity Program (ELOP) funding for the permanent buildings tha...

15/07/2024

A major rule change involving usage of electronic devices in high school softball has been approved by the National Federation of High Schools’ Softball Rules Committee. The change will go into effect with the upcoming 2024-25 school year softball season, which will take place in spring 2025.

A major rule change involving usage of electronic devices in high school softball has been approved by the National Federation of High Schools’ Softball Rules Committee. The change will go into effect with the upcoming 2024-25 school year softball season, which will take place in spring 2025. The ...

12/07/2024

Local Scene: Celebrate San Benito County’s sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary on July 27 at the San Benito Historical park.

Cool in the parks Water features at Valley View and McCarthy Parks in Hollister are now operational every day from 11am-7pm, through Sept. 29.  San Benito County’s 150th Celebrate San Benito County’s sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary on July 27 at the San Benito Historical park. The party ...

11/07/2024

Letter from Hollister Mayor Mia Casey: A political controversy has been swirling around the Hollister fire contract and triggering of a termination clause in the contract between Hollister, the County and San Juan Bautista. Two elected officials are at the center of this political drama.

A political controversy has been swirling around the Hollister fire contract and triggering of a termination clause in the contract between Hollister, the County and San Juan Bautista. Two elected officials are at the center of this political drama.  Supervisor Kollin Kosmicki and Hollister Council...

11/07/2024

San Benito Stage Company’s family summer musical brings the local production of “Matilda” to Hollister audiences starting on July 12, running on select dates through July 27 at the Hollister High School Auditorium. https://sanbenito.com/stage-company-brings-matilda-to-hollister-audiences/

10/07/2024

The San Benito County Supervisors on June 18 unanimously approved a low impact camping ordinance—a move that proponents say will allow rural landowners the chance to host small-scale camping on their properties.

The San Benito County Supervisors on June 18 unanimously approved a low impact camping ordinance—a move that proponents say will allow rural landowners the chance to host small-scale camping on their properties.  The ordinance, which will go into effect later this month, will expand access to out...

10/07/2024

Hollister Police received hundreds of calls over the Fourth of July period, including scores of reports of illegal fireworks that resulted in dozens of citations, authorities said.

Hollister Police received hundreds of calls over the Fourth of July period, including scores of reports of illegal fireworks that resulted in dozens of citations, authorities said. The use of illegal fireworks in Hollister in recent days has also resulted in fires, property damage and, in one case,....

10/07/2024

Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties may have been exposed to measles in recent days after an infected person from outside the region visited, according to public health officials.

Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties may have been exposed to measles in recent days after an infected person from outside the region visited, according to public health officials.  The infected individual traveled out of San Jose Mineta International Airport on July 2, the Santa Clara County Public...

09/07/2024

Letter: Our own San Benito County Board of Supervisors offered a complete plan of financial resources and professional hospital management.

Just a few days ago my mailbox spilled the usual handful of print items, one of which showed a great deal of promise, I thought. Since I had been attending many Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital (HHMH) board meetings plus community meetings among interested individuals, the reading of this piece left....

09/07/2024

A federal committee last week approved about $63 million in funding for the improvement and expansion of infrastructure. The funds include more than $15 million in upgrades in San Juan Bautista and Hollister, according to U.S. Representative Zoe Lofgren’s office.

A federal committee last week approved a program that includes about $63 million in funding for the improvement and expansion of water infrastructure. If approved by Congress, more than $15 million in upgrades could be dedicated to San Juan Bautista and Hollister, according to U.S. Representative Zo...

08/07/2024

Letter: The county was home to numerous BLENHEIM apricot orchards, now lost to housing developments. Urban sprawl will be the death of San Benito County unless future growth is slowed.

Sunday, June 23 dawned another glorious day in San Benito County.  In the south, the Saddle Horse Show (a LEGACY of the wide-open ranches of historical times) was gearing up for its annual display of traditional horsemanship. To the north, tree branches were bending under the weight of ripe fruit.....

08/07/2024

Esperanza del Valle, Pajaro Valley’s long-standing Mexican folklorico dance group, is preparing for the “Reinforcing Cultural Identity” conference coming to Cabrillo College on Aug. 15-25.

Esperanza del Valle, Pajaro Valley’s long-standing Mexican folklorico dance group, is preparing for the “Reinforcing Cultural Identity” conference coming to Cabrillo College on Aug. 15-25. The group will welcome Ballet Folklórico del Puerto de Veracruz de la Universidad Veracruzana, from Mexi...

08/07/2024

Local Scene:Caltrans has again delayed the upcoming closure of Union Road, which will be required for the construction of the Highway 156 Improvement Project connecting Hollister and San Juan Bautista. https://sanbenito.com/local-scene-union-road-now-set-for-august-closure/

04/07/2024

Letter: At PG&E, we recognize that like many goods and services, energy prices are increasing. Those increases are helping build a safe, reliable and clean energy system to protect you and your family and meet the future energy needs of this community.

At PG&E, we recognize that like many goods and services, energy prices are increasing. Those increases are helping build a safe, reliable and clean energy system to protect you and your family and meet the future energy needs of this community.  For example, in the South Bay and Centr...

03/07/2024

The number of reported hate crimes in California decreased slightly from 2022 to 2023, but those against Jewish, Muslim and LGBTQ+ people rose over the same period, according to the annual hate crime report from California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

The number of reported hate crimes in California decreased slightly from 2022 to 2023, but those against Jewish, Muslim and LGBTQ+ people rose over the same period, according to the annual hate crime report from California Attorney General Rob Bonta.  The number of hate crimes referred for prosecut...

03/07/2024

Letter: With the 10-year anniversary of Measure J’s victory fast approaching, I write this letter to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to all of those who stood up against Big Oil.

With the 10-year anniversary of Measure J’s victory fast approaching, I write this letter to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to all of those who stood up against Big Oil.  I owe an especially large debt of gratitude to all of the former members of San Benito Rising. And I owe the most and highest...

03/07/2024

After the Hollister City Council voted to terminate its fire service contract with San Juan Bautista and San Benito County last month, local officials are looking into the creation of a new fire protection district as part of ongoing negotiations. The existing contracts will remain in effect until March 2025.

The move comes after Hollister terminated fire contracts

02/07/2024

The 90th San Benito County Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo treated crowds to traditional competition events, performances, exhibitions, demonstrations and vendors at the fairgrounds in Tres Pinos June 28-30.

The 90th San Benito County Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo treated crowds to traditional competition events, performances, exhibitions, demonstrations and vendors at the fairgrounds in Tres Pinos June 28-30.  Participants from youth to seniors competed in barrel racing, bronc riding, bull riding, calf ro...

02/07/2024

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the 2024-25 budget into law on June 29, solidifying $16 billion in cuts and other moves that closed a $46.8 billion deficit.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the 2024-25 budget into law on June 29, solidifying $16 billion in cuts and other moves that closed a $46.8 billion deficit.  The budget is $297.5 billion, with $211.5 billion committed from the general fund. It maintains $22.5 billion in reserve funds and cuts just less th...

02/07/2024

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an agreement June 27 making personal financial literacy a required course to graduate high school in California, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an agreement June 27 making personal financial literacy a required course to graduate high school in California, according to a news release from the governor’s office. “We need to help Californians prepare for their financial futures as early as possible. Saving for the...

02/07/2024

Temperatures are expected to surpass 100 degrees on multiple days this week in San Benito County, and beyond.

The first major heat wave of the year is hitting the Bay Area as of Tuesday afternoon. Most of the Bay Area and neighboring counties are under National Weather Service-issued heat advisories or excessive heat warnings, as temperatures are expected to top 110 degrees inland and the mid 90s in some co...