Author: Melissa Melton

Marilyn Ferreira sits with her husband and her six grandchildren. Photo provided.

Marilyn Ferreira Real Estate

BenitoLink sponsors help keep news and information available to our community. With this new feature, we honor the folks who help keep San Benito County residents well-informed.

EDC Interim Executive Director Randy Starbuck (standing) ignites discussion between workshop attendees. Photos by Melissa Melton.

Business / Economy

County’s economic development group shares plans to improve local economy

Area organizations attend a workshop on business retention/growth, multi-agency collaboration and tourism marketing plan.

Fabian Herrera at his station inside Faultline Tattoo. Photo by Melissa Melton.

Art & Culture

Sayin’ it in ink

Two Hollister tattoo artists share what’s popular in their shops this year.

Professors and teaching assistants introduce students to 8th grade algebra. Photo provided.

Children and Youth

Ten years of algebra excellence

Middle schoolers learn from professors and develop teamwork skills at weeklong Algebra Academy.

Adults and children form a circle around the signs they created for a July 26 demonstration. Photos by Melissa Melton.

Government / Politics

SBC residents demonstrate against migrant detention centers

Group prays and shares words of hope for detainees and vulnerable community members.

Tina Ribero, Jeana Arnold, Beth Welch, Brenda Weatherly, Jill Pagaran, and Kathy Schipper sign a contract to develop a five-year marketing plan to increase tourism in San Benito County. Photo provided by Jill Pagaran.

Business / Economy

San Benito County Tourism begins drafting five-year marketing plan

Leaders in the Hollister Downtown Association, San Juan Bautista Committee and Community Foundation see potential for increased tourist spending in San Benito County.

Second Chance Success Panelists Brian Evans, Pablo Gaxiola, Michael Salinas, Amy Bravo, Rolando Barrientos and Jose Rodriguez discussed second chance employment opportunities at a July 16 workshop hosted by the San Benito County Workforce Development Board. Photo by Melissa Melton.

Business / Economy

Breaking recidivism through second chance employment

Workshop encourages businesses not to reject job applicants because of criminal history.

Mason Churchill, a 17-year-old with fragile x syndrome, has blossomed since starting work with Growing Hearts Garden Center. Photo provided by Chris Evans.

Nonprofits

Growing Hearts one at a time

Hollister nonprofit is helping Mason Churchill, a 17-year-old resident with fragile X syndrome, develop both personally and professionally.

Calavera Coffee in downtown Hollister features different roasters' coffee every month. Tabi Medefesser, pictured above, is one of the shop's baristas. Photo provided by Evan Morris.

Business / Economy

Calavera Coffee focuses on community

Making strides in sustainability and employee development.

Graniterock's A.R. Wilson Quarry. Photo by Melissa Melton.

Graniterock

BenitoLink sponsors help keep news and information available to our community. With this new feature, we honor the folks who help keep San Benito County residents well-informed.

Family and fitness are at the center of Brittany Renz's life. Photo provided.

San Benito Lifestyle

From personal trainer to motherhood trainer

Hollister resident Brittany Renz’s new book “Girl, You Got This!” shows new mothers how to bring efficiency and healthy habits back into their lives.

Opening day of the farmers market in downtown Hollister on May 1, 2019. Photo by Becky Bonner.

Agriculture

Downtown businesses see benefits with Hollister Farmers’ Market changes

Merchants develop new ways to showcase their products and services.

Stone Bridge Homes has constructed neighborhoods throughout California. Photo by Robert Eliason.

Stone Bridge Homes

BenitoLink sponsors help keep news and information available to our community. With this feature, we honor the folks who help keep San Benito County residents well-informed.