South County / Panoche Archives

Light morph Swainson’s Hawk. Photo courtesy of Steve Rottenborn.

Environment / Nature

Large communal roost of Swainson’s hawks discovered in Panoche Valley

Published 09/02/2021
BenitoLink Reporter, Carmel de Bertaut

At least 143 individuals are documented.

Jake Bourdet Team Roping. Photo Courtesy of Kristy Bourdet.

Features

Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo is a family affair

Published 06/24/2021
BenitoLink Reporter, Corissa King

The Mitch Bourdet Family has been competing for 37 years.

ashurst-ranch. Photo courtesy of Cushman & Wakefield marketing brochure.

Features

53,000-acre ranch in south San Benito County sold

Published 06/18/2021
BenitoLink Reporter, Carmel de Bertaut

Central Valley farmer Scott Raven purchased the Ashurst Ranch which extends into Fresno County.

Tule Elk in Clear Creek Management Area Photo by Jesse Pluim and courtesy of Bureau of land Management.

News Release

Bureau of Land Management to conduct controlled burn along Clear Creek

Published 06/02/2021
BenitoLink Staff

Prescribed burn will remove yellow star thistle, reduce wildland fire risk and improve wildlife habitat.

In 2020, approximately 275 wildland fires burned nearly 200,000 acres of Bureau managed land in California. Photo courtesy of Cal Fire.

News Release

Bureau of Land Management issues seasonal fire restrictions for most of central California

Published 05/20/2021
BenitoLink Staff

Temporary fire restrictions will include target shooting limitations .

Panoche Hills Recreation Area. Photo courtesy of Bureau of Land Management.

News Release

Bureau of Land Management closes Panoche Hills to vehicle access early due to dry conditions

Published 04/07/2021
BenitoLink Staff

Vehicle access remains open at Tumey Hills until April 15.

Photo of gray wolf OR-93 taken in Oregon after waking up from sedation. Photo courtesy of Austin Smith, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

Environment / Nature

Lone gray wolf enters San Benito County

Published 04/01/2021
BenitoLink Reporter, Carmel de Bertaut

OR-93 has traveled south from Oregon over the last three months.

News

Paicines Post Office provides after-hours lobby services

Published 02/19/2021
BenitoLink Reporter, Carmel de Bertaut

Customers have access through an app that uses Bluetooth technology to open the door during off hours.

San Benito County Official Seal. Courtesy of San Benito County

Transportation

Several San Benito County roads closed due to recent storm events

Published 01/29/2021
BenitoLink Staff

County road crews are removing debris from roadways.

New Year fireworks. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

News

San Benito County’s top stories of 2020

Published 12/31/2020
BenitoLink Staff

BenitoLink covered the county’s struggles with COVID-19, but also stuck with its commitment to government reporting, education, health, housing, and transportation.

South County residents Shelly Krieger, Barbara Hearne and JoAnne Falsey have voiced their opposition to the Highway 25 curve realignment since 2015. Photos by John Chadwell.

Transportation

Caltrans going forward with Hwy 25 realignment

Published 08/13/2020
BenitoLink Reporter, John Chadwell

Despite objections from longtime residents, work is slated to start in January 2023.

Police / Fire

Coyote Fire burning on Panoche Road

Published 07/15/2020
BenitoLink Staff

Containment at 50%, 1,400 acres burned as of 7:01 a.m. on July 16.

Cattle are moved from one ranch to another along Highway 25 in South County. Photo by Shari Schmidt.

Agriculture

Moving cattle, Bitterwater style

Published 05/29/2020
BenitoLink Staff

South County resident Shari Schmidt writes about driving a herd of 120 stocker cattle in the southernmost part of San Benito County.

The Lazy Bumb Hare Scramble in 2019. Photo provided by Brian Garrahan.

Housing / Land Use

San Benito County Planning Commission approves off-road race

Published 02/27/2020
BenitoLink Reporter, Noe Magaña

The Lazy Bumb Hare Scramble takes place near Panoche on March 7 and 8.

Amanda McCraw and family in front of their house. Photo by Kaitlyn Fontaine.

Schools & Education

Rural San Benito schools offer teacher housing

Published 02/01/2020
BenitoLink Reporter, Kaitlyn Fontaine

Instructors at Panoche and Jefferson elementary schools wear multiple hats and conduct their classes as a community.

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