Author: John Chadwell

Hollister Councilman Marty Richman said he wanted to testify under oath because his honor was important to him and said that he could be convicted for perjury if he lied. Photos by John Chadwell.

Government / Politics

Hollister council vote to censure members Richman and Spencer fails

Lenoir casts tiebreaker, saying ‘I just can’t see my way to do that.’

The Superior Court of California in San Benito County is located at 450 Fourth Street in Hollister. File photo.

Justice

2014 murder suspect appears in court

Christopher Larios’ next hearing is Feb. 21.

The Jan. 30 ribbon cutting officially marked that the Twin Oaks active senior community was open for business. Photos by John Chadwell.

Housing / Land Use

Ribbon cutting held for Twin Oaks senior housing development

First active senior community in San Benito County offers open floor plans and a clubhouse.

Earth moving equipment lined up after clearing land for the West of Fairview project. Photo by John Chadwell.

Housing / Land Use

Development approved despite lack of Hollister City Council vote

California code says final maps can be approved without a vote when they conform ‘to all requirements and rulings.’

Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital CEO Ken Underwood claimed a board member wanted him to leave. Photos by John Chadwell.

Health

Hazel Hawkins CEO resigns, but stays on as interim

Hospital board amends Ken Underwood’s contract so he can continue working until a new CEO is recruited.

David Early, senior advisor and founding principle at PlaceWorks, said one goal of the new general plan is to maintain Hollister's small town atmosphere. Photo by John Chadwell.

Government / Politics

Hollister hires consultant for general plan update

Final cost will be $1.4 million when the bill is due in 21 months.

The Jan. 24 incident involving Hollister council members Rolan Resendiz and Honor Spencer, San Benito County Democratic Central Committee Chair Leslie Austin, and Gavilan College Trustee Irma Gonzalez took place inside Mechanics Bank. Photo by John Chadwell.

Government / Politics

Hollister council members get into altercation at bank

Resendiz, Spencer and others in dispute over phone video.

No comments yet
Jung Choi smiles at her interpreter as she enters the courtroom on Jan. 24. She pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter. Photo by John Chadwell.

Police / Fire

Jung Choi pleads no contest to voluntary manslaughter

Choi is one of two accused in a December 2017 murder. She faces up to 11 years in prison.

There were both supporters and detractors in the audience at the Jan. 21 Hollister City Council meeting, where members voted 3-2 to censure (express disapproval of) Councilman Rolan Resendiz. Photos by John Chadwell.

Government / Politics

Hollister Council censures member Rolan Resendiz

Dysfunction on display at Jan. 21 meeting; second resolution to censure other council members tabled to Feb. 18.

No comments yet
Jung Choi at a Jan. 10 hearing. Over the course of nearly two years of hearings, she has remained mostly silent and communicated only through an interpreter. Photos by John Chadwell.

Police / Fire

Ji and Choi trial set for March 9

They are charged with first-degree murder in the December 2017 death of Yoon ‘Clara’ Ji.

In 2016, voters approved a $60 million bond for the San Benito High School. Now trustees want another $30 million. Photo courtesy of Google Earth.

Housing / Land Use

Sticker Shock: One school bond too far?

San Benito County homeowners continue to see their taxes rise because of local school bonds and fees. Some longtime residents say they are considering moving to other states.

No comments yet
Jose Antonio Barajas' demeanor changed from glum to smiling after his defense attorney Gregory LaForge was replaced due to a conflict of interest. Photos by John Chadwell.

Public defender’s conflict of interest delays Barajas trial

Gregory LaForge replaced by Harry Damkar, as LaForge represents a ‘material witness for the defense.’

Sheriff Darren Thompson and deputies take a selfie with retiring Hollister Police Chief David Westrick. Photos by John Chadwell.

Police / Fire

Leaders say farewell to Hollister’s top cop

City and county officials roast retiring police chief David Westrick over coffee.

Restoration work continues at the Mabie Northside Skilled Nursing Facility in Hollister after December rain flooded the building and displaced 46 residents. Photo by John Chadwell.

Health

Flooded nursing facility to reopen in February

Restoration includes flooring, repairing drywall and removing asbestos.

Photographer Rene Rodriguez can often be found on the backroads of San Benito County in search of just the right light for his images. All photos courtesy of Rene Rodriguez.

Art & Culture

The man behind the picture

Rene Rodriguez created the photo at the top of BenitoLink's homepage. Bold and dramatic, it captures a San Benito winter view of multiple ridge lines.

12345…53Next