South County / Panoche

Dedication of Vasquez marker. Courtesy of E Clampus Vitus.

BL Special Report

BL Longform: Snyder’s General Store and the downfall of Tiburcio Vasquez 

The raid that led to the capture and execution of an outlaw.

Many rural roads have become party meccas that draw heavy drinking and driving, fire danger and other safety risks. Photo by Leslie David

News

San Benito Sheriff’s Office has plan to build connections with residents

Responsibility Area Program breaks the unincorporated portions of the county into 19 zones.

Blunt-nosed leopard lizard in Panoche Hills, San Benito County. Photo by Chad M. Lane.

News

Agencies releasing endangered lizards in Panoche Hills

The plan is to release 19 young blunt-nosed leopard lizards in 2022.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

News Release

Caltrans to continue repaving work on Hwy 25 near Hollister the week after Thanksgiving

Travelers can expect shorter delays of up to 10 minutes.

Kathy Miramontes, Atticus Ortiz, Justin Delgado, and Axel Miramontes. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Volmer.

Schools & Education

Jefferson School students win county fair photography competition

They took photographs to express their feelings during and after lockdown.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

News Release

Caltrans begins repaving Highway 25 near Ridgemark on Nov. 15

Travelers can expect 20 minute delays near the Best Road area.

Newly hatched blunt-nosed leopard lizard. Photo by Mark Halvorsen and courtesy of BLM.

News Release

Breeding program for endangered blunt-nosed leopard lizards announced

The blunt-nosed leopard lizard was listed as an endangered species at the state and federal level in the mid 1960s.

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

Environment / Nature

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

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

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

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 

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 

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 

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

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

News

Paicines Post Office provides after-hours lobby services

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

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