Shelter in Place

Empty parklet in front of Country Rose on Dec. 7 following the Regional Stay-at-Home Order. The order limits food service to take-out and delivery. Photo by Noe Magaña.

Business / Economy

Deja Vu: businesses toughing out stay-at-home order

Outdoor dining helped restaurants stay afloat prior to the shutdown enacted Dec. 7.

Tyler Bennedetti, a Cal Poly SLO student from Hollister. Photo courtesy of Tyler Bennedetti.

Schools & Education

Pandemic grounds college students in San Benito County

Despite feeling bored and distracted, they would rather stay home for classes than attend in person.

Bakery owner Dianne Hampton and oven in the background. Photo by Robert Eliason.

Food / Dining

San Juan Bakery yearns to rise again

Owner Diane Hampton launches a crowdfunding effort to reopen the historic Third Street location.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Community Opinions

COMMUNITY OPINION: Let’s be real, Hernandez is neither unifying or honest

Jesus Guerrero writes in response to a recent commentary by Supervisor Peter Hernandez.

"There are a lot of people I have talked to who are happy because they have been able to take the time to reconnect with their families and slow down to see the sky," said Robert Johnson, a practicing licensed marriage and family therapist in Hollister. Photo by Becky Bonner.

Health

Taking time for mental wellness

Therapists share tools and strategies for coping with shelter-in-place.

Adding a twist to a traditional pancake recipe can be a fun way to experiment in the kitchen. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Martin.

San Benito Lifestyle

Simple, delicious recipes to try at home

Jennifer Martin of Hollister offers cooking tips and meals to make with family.

Mary Margaret Lanning, creator and owner of Overall Fitness and Nutrition, demonstrates a straight arm plank. Photo courtesy of Mary Marguerite Lanning.

Health / Fitness

Tips for exercising at home

How to adopt, or maintain, fitness goals while sheltering in place.

Customers line up to pick up their orders on May 7. Photo by Noe Magaña.

Business / Economy

Paine’s Restaurant working to stay afloat

Owner said event cancellations account for about $100K of lost income.

Eddie, Christopher, Aaron and Lani Hoang. Photo courtesy of Eddie Hoang.

Business

Local music video says ‘Go Away Corona’

Miyako owner Eddie Hoang and family create and share a song to help lighten the mood during COVID-19.

ER staff at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital. File photo.

Health

The COVID-19 surge that didn’t happen

Hazel Hawkins ER director attributes low number of local cases to people staying home, but thinks the virus poses a long-term threat.

Local Realtor and amateur photographer Donna Silva took pictures of families on their front porches with a zoom lens to be able to safely follow social distancing guidelines. Photos taken and provided by Donna Silva.

San Benito Lifestyle

Amateur photographer takes up ‘front porch portrait’ challenge

Using a long lens, Donna Silva captures her subjects from a distance.

San Benito County Administration Building. Photo by Leslie David.

Government / Politics

Supervisors discuss COVID-19 tests and shelter order status

State allocates more testing to SBC; Hernandez wants public health officer fired.

Various designs of face coverings. Photo provided by Karen Stacy.

Health

County offering free face covering distribution

Drive-thru event to take place April 25.

Homeless at Dunne Park in Hollister. File photo by John Chadwell.

Government / Politics

Hollister City Council approves $250K for homeless shelter

Funding will help maintain daily operations, which have switched to a 24-hour schedule since shelter-in-place went into effect.

The Gavilan College laptop distribution team met students at the rear of the Briggs Building, checked off the paperwork and loaned out laptops. Photo provided.

Education / Schools

Gavilan loans laptops to Hollister students

Staff contacted San Benito students directly and handed out 30 computers on April 18.

SEE MORE SHELTER IN PLACE