At the McKinley Park Rose Garden in Sacramento, the first rose of 2024.
We have a slightly humorous tradition in our family: At the beginning of every season, one of us will say something like, “Winter in California is amazing, and I’m going to miss going up to the snow—but spring really is the best season.” Or "yeah sure summer is fun with the swimming and all, but ahhh the colors of fall—obviolusly the best season."
I realize this is not all that funny, but what makes it a little bit funny (to us) is that we say it at the beginning of every single season, and have been doing so for many years. And we kind of mean it every single time. Because every new season holds the promise that it'll be better than the last.
This winter, as you know, was cold and wet. I am a nature-worshiping Californian who’s been living through a deadly drought, so I stopped complaining about the rain more than a decade ago … until this year. Last week’s warm sun and long evenings made me feel better than I have felt in months.
So: In this week’s edition of The Newsletter, four things, all related to the very best season: Spring!
Product Launch from Hilltromper: BloomTracker
As you may have noticed, we do not tire of singing the praises of California, and Hilltromper (which is kind of CALocal's sister-site) focuses on our state's awesome natural beauty. For our final piece of appreciation today we present the coolest wildflower-finding tool you've ever seen, which was launched last week by our friend Mike Kahn.
BloomTracker: Wildflower Finder & Protector from Hilltromper
Over at Hilltromper, “The Nature-worshiping, Fun-Loving Adventure Guide” that serves the South Bay Area, Santa Cruz County, and anyone who visits these beautiful places, our friend Mike Kahn has just launched a new product he named BloomTracker—“an online resource that helps you find the best places to see wildflowers, in real time, and helps reduce impacts on parks and other open spaces.”
• County Seeks New Librarian
In the midst of a library expansion and an FBI investigation, San Benito County is considering the hiring of a new head librarian.
(03/25/2024) → Benito Link
• Project Developer Sues San Benito County
The developer of the Lands of Lee project to develop housing on Fairview Road has sued San Benito County for denial a permit to proceed, citing process violations of various laws.
(03/23/2024) → Benito Link
• Appeal of Rejected Environmental Report Withdrawn
Citing no reason, local landfill operator Waste Solutions withdrew its appeal of the San Benito County Planning Commission’s denial of certification of the Environmental Impact Report for a project to expand the landfill.
(03/22/2024) → Benito Link
• Hazel Hawkins Hospital Reaction to Bankruptcy Ruling
The reaction from Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital to the ruling of Judge Stephen Johnson of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern California District of California that the hospital did not satisfy one of the statutory requirements to remain in Chapter 9 Bankruptcy.
(03/21/2024) → Benito Link
• California Nurses Association Reaction to Hazel Hawkins Bankruptcy Ruling
The reaction from the California Nurses Association to the ruling of Judge Stephen Johnson of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern California District of California that the hospital did not satisfy one of the statutory requirements to remain in Chapter 9 Bankruptcy.
(03/21/2024) → Benito Link
• Hazel Hawkins Hospital Bankruptcy Filing Dismissed
The petition for bankruptcy filed by the San Benito Health Care District was dismissed with the finding that Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital was unable to prove insolvency.
(03/21/2024) → Benito Link
• Hollister City Council Meeting Time Changes
Despite objections from members of the community, council voted 3-2 to change its meeting time to 4 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month.
(03/20/2024) → Benito Link
• Uplift Central Coast Awarded $14 Grant
The Uplift Central Coast Coalition which works to attract investment and expand opportunities for Central Coast residents has been awarded $14 million from the California Regional Investment Initiative of the California Jobs First program.
(03/19/2024) → Benito Link
• San Benito High School District Board Approves Second High School Location
The board approved paying $2.23 million for the 49.68-acre Pura Vida property on Wright Road.
(03/19/2024) → Benito Link
At the McKinley Park Rose Garden in Sacramento, the first rose of 2024.
