Day: December 18, 2020

Downtown San Juan Bautista. Photo by Leslie David.

Government / Politics

SJB Council adopts COVID-19 enforcement ordinance

City can now use fines to enforce mask ordinance, declare businesses a public nuisance and revoke licenses.

Hollister Mayor Ignacio Velazquez on Zoom and Councilman Tim Burns in the meeting chambers on Dec. 17. Photo by John Chadwell.

Government / Politics

Hollister Council votes against citing for noncompliance with COVID-19 restrictions

Majority of members unsupportive of urgency ordinance put forth by Mayor Velazquez.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Police / Fire

Cal Fire to lift burn permit suspension in San Benito and Monterey counties 

Suspension lifted at 8 a.m. on Dec. 21.

Williams Hill Recreation Area in Bradley, California. Photo courtesy of Bureau of Land Management.

Environment / Nature

Bureau of Land Management Central Coast Field Office eases fire restrictions

Public land visitors can again use campfires outside of developed campgrounds and posted recreation sites, and target shooting is generally allowed if done in a safe manner and without damaging natural resources or improvements.

Ladd Lane Elementary School. Photo by Patty Lopez Day.

Education / Schools

HSD considers reopening to small on-campus cohorts in spring

Plan would require willingness of students and teachers to return to in-person instruction.

Novel Coronavirus. Photo courtesy of Centers for Disease Control.

Health

Dec. 18 coronavirus roundup for San Benito County

2,760 people have tested positive since February, 486 are active patients, 2,251 have recovered and 23 have died; the county’s current positivity rate is 13.9%; the San Joaquin Valley Region’s ICU availability is 0%.