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By Eric Johnson
Published Mar 18, 2024

Gov. Gavin Newsom looking troubled in a file photo. Gov. Gavin Newsom looking troubled in a file photo.

State of the State? We'll See.

Happy Monday.

As you may know, Gov. Gavin Newsom will not be giving his State of the State address this afternoon, as had been planned. That’s because Proposition 1, his $6.4 billion bond aimed at helping unhoused, mentally ill Californians get into shelter and treatment, is too close to call. 

Late last week, the governor's national PAC, Campaign for Democracy, sent an urgent request asking supporters to contact Democrats who have had faulty ballots rejected, and encourage them to get them fixed. This is a little-known maneuver known as a “cure,” which allows voters to correct ballots that have been rejected because of missing signatures or other errors after election day. (You can find out if your ballot was counted by following this link to the state’s Ballottrax service.)


Unhoused Individuals and Mental Health

Prop 1 is narrowly ahead as of Sunday night, and its opponents have conceded the race. Nevertheless, opposition from civil liberties groups and advocates for the mentally ill may have (almost?) derailed the measure.


Newsom’s Prop 1: Revolution or Return to Reason?

An assembly hall at Agnews Developmental Center in Santa Clara. Agnews was one of five hospitals that served California residents with developmental disabilities and mental illness, all of which were emptied in the misguided move toward “community care."
Prop 1 was designed to help unhoused people get off the streets by forcing them into treatment. That’s one reason it took two weeks of vote-counting to pass.

California's CARE Court System: Mental Health & Homelessness

Clinicians will have two weeks to decide whether a mentally ill person qualifies for the CARE Court system.
California’s CARE Court system, which compels treatment for people with severe mental illness, was launched in October 2023 despite efforts by civil liberties groups to stop it.

Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Winter! cookbook.


Crispy potatoes deserve Green Goddess dressing

The cutest little new potatoes are destined to be paired with the herbs at left: parsley, chives and dill.
NEW Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with this delicious side dish


Impact Report Image for decorative use


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Direct your browser to sanbenito.californialocal.com to catch up on the latest news in California and San Benito County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!


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San Benito County Historical Society logo San Benito County Historical Society

Since 1957, the Historical Society has devoted itself to collecting and preserving materials pertaining to the San Benito County of yesteryear.

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From Our Media Allies

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SanBenitocom logo More Than 9,000 Ballots Cast in San Benito County Election

The latest results of the March 5 presidential primary election show that a total of 8,749 people voted in San Benito County. The vast majority of those—7,749 voters—cast their votes by mail, while 1,000 people voted in-person at county vote …

SanBenitocom logo San Benito County Office of Education Offers Literacy Certification

As part of its Building Bridges to Literacy Initiative, the San Benito County Office of Education began a new Early Literacy Certification Program on Feb. 3. The program brings early literacy classes to daycare providers and preschool teachers throughout San …

SanBenitocom logo Accelerated Achievement Academy Named California Distinguished School

Accelerated Achievement Academy was recently named a 2024 California Distinguished Middle School—one of the highest academic honors in the state.

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Recent Local News

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• New Public Defender Chosen by San Benito Supervisors

Beginning May 1, Harry Damkar will provide indigent defense services for the county, replacing the Fitzgerald, Alvarez & Ciummo law firm.

(03/13/2024) → Benito Link

• EIR Decision Appealed

The operator of the John Smith Road Landfill appealed the San Benito County Planning Commission’s decision against certifying the environmental impact report required for expansion of the facility.

(03/12/2024) → Benito Link

• Youth Alliance Distributes Donated Laptops

200 laptop computers were donated to Youth Alliance by AT&T, Monterey Peninsula Foundation and Human-I-T, for distribution to Hollister and Gilroy residents lacking "digital basics".

(03/12/2024) → Benito Link

• Garlic Shoppe and Rapazzini’s Doomed?

Planned Highway 101/25 interchange sound wall will cut off access to popular destination.

(03/12/2024) → Benito Link

• Central Coast Community Energy Details Impact

Central Coast Community Energy, which provides renewable electricity and community energy programs throughout a 5-county service area, released its annual impact report.

(03/11/2024) → Benito Link
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Recent Statewide News

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• California Speeds Plans to Empty San Quentin's Death Row

California prison officials announced they will move the last 457 condemned prisoners out of San Quentin's death row by summer. They will be transferred to other state prisons and housed in the general population.

(03/18/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• Alan G. Sieroty, Former State Senator Who Helped Create the Coastal Commission, Dies at 93

Sieroty, of Beverly Hills, served as a state Assembly member and senator, championing disability rights and efforts to protect California's coast.

(03/17/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• California Unlikely to Meet Landmark Goals for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

California will miss its goals unless it can increase emission reductions threefold, according to a new study.

(03/15/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• Q&A: How the 50-Year-Old Case That Transformed English Learner Education Began

An interview with Lucinda Lee Katz, the first grade teacher of the lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court case Lau vs. Nichols.

(03/14/2024) → EdSource
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (03/16/2024)

Wenders LLC Recalls Trader Joes Nuts - 50% Less Sodium Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews Because of Possible Health Risk

Wenders LLC of Dublin, CA is recalling specific production lots of Trader Joes Nuts - 50% Less Sodium Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews - (SKU Number - 37884) Lot# T12139, T12140, T12141, and T12142 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (03/14/2024)

Dawn Addis CA Assembly 30:
Central Coast Caucus Releases 2024 Budget Priorities

Central Coast Caucus Releases 2024 Budget Priorities sanchema Thu, 03/14/2024 - 09:59 Thursday, March 14, 2024 SACRAMENTO The California Central Coast Legislative Caucus, Chaired by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) introduced its budget priorities for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The priorities include investments that bolster the economy, environment, and well-being of the Central Coast. "California's Central Coast plays a fundamental …
Image of United States seal. United States   (03/13/2024)

Kick Ash Products Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almonds in Product

Kick Ash Products of Ellison Bay, WI is recalling Door County Love Dark Chocolate Cherry Granola with Lot #061241, because it may contain undeclared ALMONDS. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the
Image of United States seal. United States   (03/13/2024)

Taylor Farms Pacific Recalls Kroger Brand Ready-To-Eat Apple Walnut With Chicken Salad Bowl Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2024 - Taylor Farms Pacific, a Tracy, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 19,976 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) apple walnut with chicken salad bowl products due to misbranding...
Image of United States seal. United States   (03/11/2024)

John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Coconut and Milk in Great Value Honey Roasted Cashews 8.25 Oz

John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc (JBSS) announced today it is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of 8.25 oz Great Value Honey Roasted Cashews, because it may contain undeclared coconut and milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to coconut or milk run the risk of serious or life-thre
Image of United States seal. United States   (03/10/2024)

Jen's Breakfast Burritos, LLC, Recalls Ready to Eat Breakfast Burrito Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2024 - Jen's Breakfast Burritos, LLC, an Auburn, Wash. establishment, is recalling approximately 144 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) breakfast burrito products that may be adulterated with Listeria...
Image of United States seal. United States   (03/07/2024)

Wesco, Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall and Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanut in Wesco Mint No Bake Cookie Bites

Wesco, Inc. of Muskegon, MI is recalling 750 units of Wesco Mint No Bake Cookie Bites, because it may contain undeclared peanut. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. The affected Wesc
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (03/07/2024)

Dawn Addis CA Assembly 30:
Legislators Urge the PUC to Reject Proposed Utility Rate Increase

Legislators Urge the PUC to Reject Proposed Utility Rate Increase sanchema Thu, 03/07/2024 - 13:53 Thursday, March 7, 2024 SACRAMENTO Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) urged the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to reject Pacific Gas and Electric Company's request for interim rate relief, in order to prevent additional rate increases for Californians. The request is currently under review by …
Image of United States seal. United States   (03/07/2024)

Salm Partners, LLC, Recalls Johnsonville Polish Kielbasa Turkey Sausage Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2024 - Salm Partners, LLC, a Denmark, Wis., establishment, is recalling approximately 35,430 pounds of Johnsonville turkey kielbasa sausage that may be contaminated with foreign materials, specifically...
Image of United States seal. United States   (03/06/2024)

Stonewall Kitchen Issues Allergy Alert for Wheat in Limited Quantity of Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Mix

Stonewall Kitchen of York, Maine is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of their Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Mix because it may contain an undeclared allergen, wheat. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat (which contains gluten) may risk serious allergic reaction if t