Lea este articulo en español aquí. High cannabis taxes have pushed growers away from the unincorporated San Benito County but the Board of Supervisors wants to fix that. “Our tax rate presents a barrier for cannabis businesses to establish in our county,” San Benito County Principal Administrative Analyst Dulce Alonso told the board at its May 7 meeting. “We’ve heard from them that it’s too high.” The county’s cannabis business tax was passed by voters in 2018 as Measure C. It’s broken down into six business categories: cultivation, which involves propagation, planting, growing, harvesti ..read more

This article was written by BenitoLink intern Camille Mattish. Lea este articulo en español aquí. The San Benito County Board of Supervisors on May 7 unanimously approved three items regarding the new Limekiln Road bridge.  The approvals provide services related to construction of the new bridge, the purchase of 2.8 acres of surrounding land and adoption of plans and specifications for the bridge. Public Works Administrator Steve Loupe said the estimated cost of the bridge is $2.5 million. The approximate time period of construction is seven months and the project is expected to be ..read more

Information provided by the office of District 29 Assembly member Robert Rivas. Lea este articulo en español aquí. Start saving today – As the cost of education continues to increase each year, saving extra money to send your loved ones to college might feel expensive and out of reach. However, a California ScholarShare 529 college savings account makes saving money for college easy, and you don’t need a significant upfront investment to get started; any dollar amount is enough to open an account for a more attainable path to a higher education. Whether you’re a parent, a ..read more

Lea este articulo en español aquí. Peter Pan is a story that many of us never outgrow. For an afternoon or evening of uplifting entertainment, residents can see San Benito Stage Company’s version of the popular story over the next couple weeks. The performances opened May 3 and continue on weekends through May 18 at the Veterans’ Memorial Building, 649 San Benito Street, Hollister. During a pre-performance run-through for local students, BenitoLink asked a few of the performers about their favorite part of being involved in community theater.  Kylie Drew, who is in the pirate role, said ..read more

Lea este articulo en español aquí. Ediotor Note: BenitoLink intern Camille Mattish also contributed to the article. The Hollister Police Department identified four alleged victims of possible sexual assault at a Hollister preschool. Hollister Police Sgt. Aurelio Melgoza told BenitoLink that four children younger than 5 years old were identified as possible victims following the arrest of Victoria Grimmett, owner of Miss Vicky’s Preschool and Childcare, and Justin Allen, her son-in-law, on April 12. According to court documents filed April 16, Allen was charged with suspicion of committin ..read more

Lea este articulo en español aquí. On May 1 Hollister Fire Department discovered an illegal marijuana grow on Buena Vista Road in north Hollister. Upon inspection San Benito County Sheriff personnel found 19,000 plants, some in green houses, some not.  Commander Yerena of the sheriff’s CASPR (criminal apprehension suppression prevention response) Task Force told BenitoLink illegal grows are not uncommon in the rural parts of the county but this was the largest grow he has seen in three to four years. It was also on the edge of town rather than on a rural plot of land. He said on May ..read more

Information provided by San Benito High School District. Lea este articulo en español aquí. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond recently announced that San Benito High School District is one of 14 school districts in the state to have earned a 2024 California Green Ribbon Schools award. This is the second consecutive year the district has earned the recognition for environmental stewardship and educational practices.  Superintendent Thurmond said California Green Ribbon Schools “stand as beacons of innovation that showcase pioneerin ..read more

Lea este articulo en español aquí. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a food safety alert regarding an E. coli outbreak linked to organic walnuts sold in bulk by Gibson Farms, Inc., of Hollister. According to the April 30 alert, 12 people in two states have reported becoming ill in, including seven who were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.  “Almost all sick people purchased organic walnuts from bulk bins in food co-ops or natural food stores in California and Washington,” a separate CDC news release states.  It adds that the Food and Drug Administr ..read more

This article was written by BenitoLink intern Camille Mattish. Lea este articulo en español aquí. The nonprofit Youth Alliance celebrated youth leadership with the community on May 2 in a gathering called Youth Rising. Eight Youth Alliance members were recognized for their growth, engagement, strong leadership and transformation. Six other members received scholarships. Youth Alliance provides services to youth and families, and the event was offered in both Spanish and English translation. Scholarship recipient and Hollister High student Alondra Medina said that Youth Alliance is “a way to c ..read more

Lea este articulo en español aquí. Hollister City Council voted unanimously to renew its wastewater treatment plant operations agreement with its current contractor. The contract with Veolia Water West Operating Services Inc., which provides water and wastewater services, is set to expire Aug. 2. Councilmembers Tim Burns, Dolores Morales and Rick Perez directed legal counsel Mary F. Lerner to negotiate the contract from a six-year term to a two-to-four-year term. Mayor Mia Casey and Councilmember Rolan Resendiz were in favor of renewing the contract as-is for five years at an estimated cost o ..read more