Hollister Free Lance

02/01/2025

Dozens of new state laws take effect for the new year

California lawmakers in 2024 introduced 4,821 bills, but most of them were tossed or otherwise rejected during the months-long legislative process during which most never saw the light of day. Just 1,206 made it to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk, with 1,017 getting signed into law and the others vetoed....

23/12/2024

A jury convicted a s*x offender for a mall robbery he committed more than three decades ago, according to authorities.

A jury convicted a s*x offender for a mall robbery he committed more than three decades ago, according to authorities. The jury deliberated more than two days before convicting Thomas Loguidice, 67, after a week of testimony before Superior Court Judge Hanley Chew, says a press release from the Sant...

23/12/2024

The Hollister School District has once again partnered with Legacy Church to provide a brighter Christmas season for local families in need, and this year’s effort included a large increase in recipients.

The Hollister School District has once again partnered with Legacy Church to provide a brighter Christmas season for local families in need, and this year’s effort included a large increase in recipients.  The 2024 drive included more than double the number of families—20 this year—who receiv...

19/12/2024

Sports Roundup: Hollister girls soccer raises record to 3-1 https://sanbenito.com/sports-roundup-hollister-girls-soccer-raises-record-to-3-1/

18/12/2024

The Chief Probation Officers of California recently introduced the Joseph Frontella Award for Distinguished Service in Institutions, an honor recognizing “exceptional contributions to juvenile institutions across the state."

The Chief Probation Officers of California recently introduced the Joseph Frontella Award for Distinguished Service in Institutions, an honor recognizing “exceptional contributions to juvenile institutions across the state,” says a press release from the Chief Probation Officers of California. ...

18/12/2024

Grant helps expand childcare services

A grant of $1,749,800 from the Valley Health Foundation will help the YMCA of Silicon Valley expand and enhance childcare services for families in Gilroy.  Specifically, the grant—funded through Santa Clara County’s Childcare Expansion Grant Program—will support the renovation of the Gavilan ...

18/12/2024

Hollister Police arrested a local man on suspicion of elder abuse, following an investigation spurred by the hospitalization of the suspect’s grandmother, authorities said.

Hollister Police arrested a local man on suspicion of elder abuse, following an investigation spurred by the hospitalization of the suspect’s grandmother, authorities said.  On Dec. 10, Hollister Police received a report about an 83-year-old woman who had been admitted to an area hospital in crit...

18/12/2024

Hollister High School culinary teacher and chef Mike Fisher has been named San Benito High School District’s Manager of Nutrition Services, effective at the start of the new semester in January.

Hollister High School culinary teacher and chef Mike Fisher has been named San Benito High School District’s Manager of Nutrition Services, effective at the start of the new semester in January.  Mr. Fisher, a 2003 Baler alumnus, has led the school’s culinary program for the past six years, tra...

13/12/2024

Three arrested in Hollister for mail theft, other felonies

Police arrested three people in Hollister on suspicion of multiple felonies after an investigation into robbery and mail theft, police said.  About 2:35am Dec. 7, Hollister Police responded to a report of a Hollister resident who noticed three men sealing mail from a community mailbox, authorities ...

13/12/2024

The San Benito Health Care District this week announced the next steps in the ongoing process to finalize the lease-to-own transaction between Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital and Insight.

The San Benito Health Care District this week announced the next steps in the ongoing process to finalize the lease-to-own transaction between Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital and Insight. While progress has been made, there is still crucial work ahead to complete the transaction. In   a press relea...

13/12/2024

Hollister Police announced last week that it has received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety that will help fund ongoing enforcement and education programs aiming to reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on local roads.

Hollister Police announced last week that it has received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety that will help fund ongoing enforcement and education programs aiming to reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on local roads.  The grant program runs through September 2025, sa...

13/12/2024

An up-and-down season for Hollister football closed on a promising note. After a one-year playoff absence, the Balers returned to the post-season. And they showed well.

An up-and-down season for Hollister football closed on a promising note. After a one-year playoff absence, the Balers returned to the post-season. And they showed well. In a 5-7 campaign, the Balers started strong and racked up some big wins, hit a mid-season slump amid extensive injuries and then f...

13/12/2024

Mission 10 Race scheduled for Jan. 25 in San Juan Bautista

The 41st annual Mission 10 Race will take place on Jan. 25, 2025. This year’s race will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Club of Hollister, which sponsors and organizes the Mission 10 event.  Runners and walkers from all over are invited to participate in the Jan. 25 event, whic...

13/12/2024

South Valley unites for Farmworker Caravan

On a recent December afternoon, about 30 volunteers gathered at St. Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista to give their efforts to the sprawling, multifaceted Farmworker Caravan—an annual holiday donation drive for families in need in five counties.  Labeled a “Santa’s Workshop,” the ...

06/12/2024

With the addition of two donated communication boards on playgrounds at Ladd Lane Elementary School, students with special needs will have an easier time expressing their thoughts to staff members and peers.

With the addition of two donated communication boards on playgrounds at Ladd Lane Elementary School, students with special needs will have an easier time expressing their thoughts to staff members and peers.  One of the boards—for TK through first-grade students—arrived in early November with t...

05/12/2024

Rebekah Children’s Services, a South Valley nonprofit that serves about 14,000 children and families annually, is getting ready to collect and distribute donated gifts for their annual holiday toy drive.

Rebekah Children’s Services, a South Valley nonprofit that serves about 14,000 children and families annually, is getting ready to collect and distribute donated gifts for their annual holiday toy drive.  Members of the community who are able to donate are encouraged to drop off new toys at any o...

05/12/2024

Local Scene: San Benito County will hold a town hall on fire protection services from 6:30-8:30pm Jan. 9 at Paines Restaurant, 421 East Street in Hollister.

Oriana Chorale to perform winter concerts Oriana Chorale will perform its winter concert, “A Joyful Sound the World Around,” at three locations next week.  The community choral group will perform 7:30pm Dec. 11 and 3pm Dec. 15 at Christ Fellowship Church, 2066 San Benito St in Hollister; and 7:...

05/12/2024

Sports Roundup: Baler Prienna Chavez finishes in top half of CIF State meet

Hollister HS Girls Cross Country Sophomore Prienna Chavez finished 10th at the CCS Division I finals on Nov. 16 on the Crystal Springs course in Belmont, and qualified for the CIF State meet at Woodward Park Fresno on Nov. 30.  In the Fresno race, which is 5,000 meters in length, she finished 88th ...