Government / Politics

San Benito County Administration Building. Photo by Noe Magaña.

Government / Politics

SBC Supervisors approve COVID-19 penalty ordinance

Penalties for violations of state and county guidelines range from $100 to $500 for civil cases and from $1,000 to $10,000 for commercial.

State Assemblyman Robert Rivas. Photo provided by the office of Robert Rivas.

Agriculture

Assemblymembers Robert Rivas and Rudy Salas introduce legislation to maximize benefits of Sustainable Groundwater Management requirements

If approved, AB 252 would create a pilot program to support repurposing formerly irrigated agricultural land for less water-intensive uses.

Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital has tents set up outside to service a higher amount of patients. Photo by Noe Magaña.

Health

General public unlikely to receive COVID-19 vaccinations before spring

Though San Benito County is preparing to move to the next vaccination phase, limited supply could make mass inoculation difficult to accomplish.

Congressman Jimmy Panetta touring a strawberry farm in his district. File photo.

News Release

Congressman Panetta votes to impeach President Trump

'Through this vote, we are not only holding the President accountable, we are abiding by our constitutional responsibility to secure and strengthen our democracy for our posterity,' Panetta said.

San Benito County Administration Building. Photo by Noe Magaña.

Government / Politics

San Benito County drafting new ordinance to address noncompliance with COVID-19 regulations

Supervisors will consider legislation at a special Jan. 15 meeting.

Congressman Jimmy Panetta. File Photo.

News Release

Congressman Panetta and colleagues pass resolution compelling Vice President Pence to invoke 25th Amendment

House of Representatives currently voting to impeach President Trump in relation to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Voting station on Nov. 3 at the San Benito County Elections Office. Photo by Noe Magaña.

Government / Politics

November election by the numbers

San Benito County Elections Office gives the who, what and when.

Early morning in San Juan Bautista. Photo by Leslie David.

Government / Politics

Three apply for SJB Planning Commission vacancies

Jackie Morris-Lopez, Priscilla Ribeiro and EJ Sabathia submit for two seats; former councilman Dan De Vries said he intends to submit an application.

Photo courtesy of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital.

News Release

San Benito County to follow state tier system in administering COVID-19 vaccines

County health officials urge residents to continue to social distance, avoid social gatherings and use face masks until vaccines are widely available.

San Benito County Official Seal. Courtesy of San Benito County

News Release

San Benito County closes Board of Supervisors chambers to the public

Members of the public can still participate via the various Zoom platforms or live stream the meetings.

Few residents can attend meetings at City Hall because of COVID-19 restrictions. Photo by John Chadwell.

Government / Politics

Hollister adopts COVID-19 prevention program

Symptomatic employees will be required to get tested; protocols established for quarantine of co-workers.

The old designs for the proposed park. Image from meeting agenda packet.

Housing / Land Use

SJB likely to change Franklin Circle Park design

Though the Planning Commission adopted plans in December, community members prefer an alternative option.

Congressman Jimmy Panetta. File Photo.

News Release

Congressman Panetta issues statement on Jan. 6 riot at U.S. Capitol

Panetta: “Americans have given their lives so we may live in a peaceful nation and ensure peaceful transitions of power. Yesterday’s mob not only disrespected those sacrifices, but mocked the sanctity the People’s House and our democratic process."

Government / Politics

Gov. Newsom includes two immediate action items in state budget proposal

If approved, the Golden State Stimulus would provide a $600 rapid cash support directly to roughly four million low-income Californians; Newsom also calls for extension of eviction moratorium.

Members of Preserve Our Rural Communities and Protect San Benito held a mock funeral procession from San Benito County Superior Court to the county administration building on Jan. 5. Photo by John Chadwell.

Housing / Land Use

Environmentalists protest development moves

Land use group says supervisors and developers have eroded their success with the No on Measure K initiative from the March primary election.

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