Information provided by Office of the Governor of California. Lea este articulo en español aquí. California’s population increased by 67,000 people in 2023 to 39,128,162, according to new data released today by the California Department of Finance (DOF). The state’s population growth can be attributed to an increase in legal foreign immigration and natural population increasing. This is the first year since 2020 that the state has seen a net increase. With the improvement of federal legal immigration processing backlogs, rebounding legal immigration levels – not including people seeking ..read more

This community opinion was contributed by community member Andie Posey. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. BenitoLink invites all community members to share their ideas and opinions. By registering as a BenitoLink user in the top right corner of our home page and agreeing to follow our Terms of Use, you can write counter opinions or share your insights on current issues. Lea este articulo en español aquí. I have had the wonderful experience of working at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital for the last 6 months ..read more

Editor’s note: BenitoLink may publish work by other news agencies when it may impact residents of San Benito County. This story was written by Kristen Hwang for CalMatters and was published April 23, 2024. Republished with permission. Lea este articulo en español aqui. Medical insurance delays can keep someone in a hospital bed much longer than they need to be waiting for after-care services like home health care. Those delays can also block hospitals from using beds needed for new patients. California hospitals have long complained about those delays, and in a new lawsuit, they’re suing one ..read more

Lea este articulo en español aquí. While San Benito County is on track to meet the state’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), county officials are concerned about housing issues and lack of infrastructure. The sixth cycle Housing Element, which covers 2023-2031, will require San Benito County to add 754 units in the county’s unincorporated areas during that eight-year cycle. However most of those units are already planned for, said Bryant De la Torre, an engineering and planning consultant with Kimley-Horn. San Benito County Supervisor Angela Curro aired frustration about the RHNA ..read more

Information provided by Hollister High School. Lea este articulo en español aquí. For the sixth year in a row, Hollister High School has been ranked as a “Best High School” by U.S. News & World Report, which identifies the country’s top-performing public high school and measures how well schools serve students from various social and economic backgrounds. HHS is ranked in the top 40 percent of schools nationally (5,446 out of 17,665 schools). Hollister High is also ranked 45th among San Jose metro area high schools and is ranked 689th out of 2,616 s ..read more

Information provided by Gavilan College Public Information Office. Lea este articulo en español aquí. Santa Clara Family Health Plan (SCFHP), a community-based health plan in Santa Clara County dedicated to creating opportunities for better health and wellness for all, has committed $100K to Gavilan College to support students pursuing careers in healthcare. This is part of their regional $500K investment over the next five years to support the future healthcare workforce in Santa Clara County through its SCFHP 25th Anniversary Health Career Scholarship Program.  Specifically, SCFHP ..read more

Lea este articulo en español aquí. In San Benito County, road construction projects such as New Idria Road and Union Road are ongoing and expected to be completed this year. County Public Works Administrator/Engineer Steve Loupe updated the San Benito County Board of Supervisors on nearly 20 road projects at the board’s April 30 meeting. He said New Idria Road, which saw heavy rain that caused a washout, will be completed by the end of May.  The washout repairs cost a total of $420,594. The Federal Emergency Management Agency covered $336,475 of the cost, while the Governor’s Office of E ..read more

Lea este articulo en español aquí. BenitoLink will be taking part in Hollister Downtown Association’s annual beer and wine stroll on Saturday May 4. Participating for the first time, BenitoLink will be partnering with DeRose Winery. The event will take place in downtown Hollister from 1 – 5pm. Visit several local businesses as you get a taste of different beer and wines. Check-In begins at 12 pm at the Veterans’ Memorial Building, 649 San Benito Street. Purchase your tickets here. Event festivities will take part in the parklet right outside of San Benito Bene. Get a chance to explore the new ..read more

This community opinion was contributed by Robert Bernosky. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. BenitoLink invites all community members to share their ideas and opinions. By registering as a BenitoLink user in the top right corner of our home page and agreeing to follow our Terms of Use, you can write counter opinions or share your insights on current issues. Lea este articulo en español aquí. As reported by Benitolink, I have initiated a recall campaign against my Hazel Hawkins Hospital board member. It’s n ..read more

Lea este articulo en español aquí. Braving the evening high winds, around 60 San Juan Bautista residents gathered in Abbe Park on April 29 to play softball, wave bubble wands, listen to music, get orders from the Mattia Pizza and Hapa Bros food trucks, or just lean on the fence for a little casual conversation with neighbors.  They were attending the first of three Monday Night Lights events organized by Recreation Assistant Caitlin Brady of the newly formed San Juan Bautista Recreation Department. Previous outings included an evening of speed dating at Bear’s Hideaway in February, an op ..read more