Environment / Nature

Image courtesy of USGS.

News

A 3.7 magnitude earthquake strikes San Benito County

Two other smaller earthquakes hit the same area.

News Release

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife seeks artists for Game Bird stamp Art Contest

This year’s stamp will feature mountain quail and entries will be judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and print.

John Smith Road Landfill. Photo by Noe Magaña.

Housing / Land Use

State department approves modified landfill permit

The landfill capacity will increase by 443,000 cubic yards.

Photo courtesy of Shawn Novack.

Commentary

COMMENTARY: California drought update

Shawn Novack writes that it is time for residents to conserve water voluntarily. San Luis Reservoir is at 30% of its average storage level.

Hikers and bike riders can use the trails at the future site of the Regional Park near San Benito High School. Photo by John Chadwell.

Housing / Land Use

Regional Park concept design would serve an array of interests

Amenities include a nine-hole disc golf course, fitness area and bicycle track.

Emergency drills involving multiple city and county agencies are held at least once a year. Photo by John Chadwell.

BL Special Report

BL Special Report: County prepares for disasters, from earthquakes to power grid failure

The San Benito County’s Office of Emergency Services has plans for most emergencies, but says residents also need to have plans to survive the initial days or weeks following a disaster.

Paicines Ranch, Paicines, CA. Photo provided

Contributed Articles

Legislature Greenlights Skinner & Rivas’ Carbon Sequestration Bill, SB 27

Asm. Rivas applauds the passage of SB 27, which he says is a major step forward in harnessing our state’s natural and working lands in the fight against climate change.

Protest over the Y road and Betabel Road overpass. Photo by Noe Magaña.

Housing / Land Use

Over 30 people protest the Betabel Road project

Activists object to the commercial project saying the county is ignoring their concerns.

Fireworks stand at Windmill Market in San Juan Bautista. Photo by Robert Eliason.

Government / Politics

Citing fire hazards, county set to ban all fireworks in unincorporated areas

Supervisors will later examine creation of special zones for milder pyrotechnics for fundraisers and July 4 celebrations.

Sonne and Laynee Reyna with Rain Dancers. Photo by Robert Eliason.

San Benito Lifestyle

Rain dances return to San Juan Bautista in a time of drought

Local Native elders invite the community to join in prayers.

Adult condor in Pinnacles holding pen. Photo by Carmel de Bertaut.

News

Six condor chicks spotted on Central Coast this year after population decline in 2020

But lead poisoning caused seven of this year’s nine condor deaths to date and is considered a top threat to the long endangered species.

Pinnacles Fire Photo Credit: Chris Symons / NPS. Used by permission

News

Fire in Pinnacles National Park

Cal Fire and local agencies respond quickly and stay on the fire overnight.

Adult mountain lion. Photo courtesy of Mountain Lion Foundation.

News

Hollister park closes indefinitely after mountain lion sighting

An adult with a cub was seen at Brigantino Park on July 19, the park’s Facebook page says.

Image from the National Weather Service.

News

Lightning alert issued for parts of San Benito County

Erratic winds and any cloud-to-ground lighting strikes have the potential of starting new wildfires. 

John Smith Road Landfill. Photo by Noe Magaña.

News

Public comment period begins for permit to expand landfill capacity

Waste Solutions seeks to increase capacity by 444,000 cubic yards.

SEE MORE ENVIRONMENT / NATURE