San Juan Bautista

B. B. Barker, date unknown. Tintype mirrored to show true orientation. Photo courtesy of Lee Chandler.

History & Profiles

BL Longform: 1866 gunfight at Kemp’s Saloon ends in death of justice of the peace

A once-forgotten tale of Old San Juan Bautista emerges from the shadows.

San Juan Bautista Waste Treatment Plant. Image from Draft Report.

Environment / Nature

BL Special Report: Solving San Juan Bautista’s water problems

City consultant comes up with solutions to address hard water, aging wastewater treatment plant and other problems.

San Juan Bautista City Hall. File photo.

Government / Politics

Nomination period extended for San Juan Bautista offices

Currently, no one has qualified to run for city treasurer or city clerk.

San Juan Bautista City Hall. File photo.

Housing / Land Use

San Juan Bautista City Council seeks state aid for renters

City is applying for funding through a block grant program.

Dan De Vries. Photo courtesy of Dan De Vries.

Government / Politics

SJB Councilman Dan De Vries won’t seek reelection

He previously held seats on San Juan and San Benito County Planning Commissions.

The Sakaguchi family at Inaka. Photo by Robert Eliason.

Business / Economy

San Juan’s Third Street makeover keeps restaurants from fully closing

Owners speak about outdoor dining on the main thoroughfare.

Image provided by Wayne Norton.

Community Opinions

COMMUNITY OPINION: Politics of Fear clouds the issue

District 2 Supervisor candidate Wayne Norton writes about staying focused on attracting local jobs and rebuilding the economy rather than the politics of fear.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Government / Politics

Virtual public hearing planned for Community Development Block Grant funding

Money can be used toward rental assistance for low and moderate income residents impacted by COVID-19 to prevent eviction.

Andres Gutierrez with the Ladies of San Juan. Photo courtesy of Lupe Valdez.

Art & Culture

El Teatro Campesino remembers performer Andres Gutierrez

A San Juan Bautista fixture finds peace after struggling with PTSD and COVID-19.

Stylist Cindy Gilroy cuts hair outside of the salon Country Cuts in San Juan Bautista. Photo by Patty Lopez Day.

Business / Economy

Personal care business owners discuss working outdoors

Newest state guidelines allow hair salons and barbershops to serve clients on the sidewalk.

Akira Boch makes his acceptance speech for "Masters of Modern Design: The Art of the Japanese American Experience" at the 2020 Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards, which streamed live on July 18. Photo courtesy of the Television Academy via Invision/AP.

Art & Culture

Documentary by former San Juan resident wins L.A. Area Emmy

Akira Boch’s ‘Masters of Modern Design’ focuses on five Japanese American artists, their experiences during WWII and the impact it had on their work.

Rider McDowell. Photo provided.

Community Opinions

COMMENTARY: Questions answered about Betabel

Creator Rider McDowell responds to questions about the project off Highway 101.

The pellet plant. Photo by Robert Eliason.

Environment / Nature

BL Special Report: Why San Juan Bautista’s ‘million-dollar’ water fix was never implemented

The ill-fated ‘pellet plant’ was supposed to provide the city with abundant soft water.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Transportation

Resurfacing of 129 near San Juan Bautista to include overnight weekend work

Work taking place from Pajaro River Bridge to the interchange of Highway 101 and State Route 129.

San Juan School. File photo.

Education / Schools

Aromas-San Juan Unified School District seeks Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee members

Committee to provide oversight for the school district's Measure M Facilities Bond program.

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