Our Journalism Needs Your Support

By Chris Neklason
Published May 13, 2024

People are nearby to throw you a line if you feel you are sinking. Image credit: CoolR Shutterstock/standard

May is Mental Health Month

This week, we note that May is Mental Health Month. If you live in one of the 10 counties in our coverage area, we include links to groups focusing on supporting your health and well-being below. If not, know that your community has resources available to assist you with information a web search away.

Most importantly, if you or someone in your family is in crisis or having suicidal thoughts, call the California Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Also, as always: Peruse your cureated local News Feed; learn about a local nonprofit doing good work; and check out our Recipe of the Week.

California's Mental Health History

A harrowing number of young people report living in despair, while we witness thousands of our neighbors suffering in the streets. Jon Vankin on the unintended consequenses of a misguided health-care reform effort.

UPDATE: California’s Mental Health Crisis: How We Got Here

The California mental health crisis is tied to both homelessness and rising crime.

How the California mental health crisis emerged out of the state’s history of deinstitutionalization and laws designed to protect the mentally ill, as well as the communities around them.

	San Benito County's Homepage
Direct your browser to https://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!

A Visitation from the Northern Lights

A mega-storm on the sun and earth's magenetic field collabroated on a show over the weekend.

Aurora Borealis in the Santa Cruz Mountains

The Northern Lights appeared in Northern and Central California Saturday night.

San Benito County Mental Health Resources

Life is the hardest job there is. Luckily, nobody's in it on their own.

Every community is home to a network of helpers to assist when things become more than one can handle alone.

We’ve gathered a list of San Benito County nonprofit community groups with a mission to help people through times of crisis, ill health and the challenges of aging or past service in the military.

If things are feeling too heavy or out of control, reach out.

And if you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call the California suicide prevention and mental health lifeline now at 988.

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 Spring! cookbook.

Chilled asparagus soup an elegantly cool dish

Serve the soup chilled but not ice-cold for best flavor. Top with crème fraîche, chopped chives and a blanched asparagus top.

New! Spring asparagus blends well with green garlic

Get to Know a Group

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.

→ Learn more

From Our Media Allies

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	‘Empower Voters’ Initiative Moving Toward November Ballot
	Local proponents of an initiative that would put land use decisions in the hands of San Benito County voters are one step closer to placing it on the ballot for the Nov. 5 general election.

	San Benito County Aims to Overhaul Cannabis Tax Rates
	Ad hoc committee of supervisors will recommend changes to ‘allow the free market to work.’

	SB County Gets State Grant to Fight Opioid Epidemic
	The Tri County-Collaborative has received a state-funded grant to help in efforts to battle the ongoing opioid epidemic in the Central Coast region, the group announced this week in a press release.

	San Benito High School District Earns Green Ribbon School Designation
	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.

Local Walnut Farm Tied to E. Coli Outbreak

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention issued a food safety alert regarding an E. coli outbreak linked to organic walnuts sold in bulk by Gibson Farms, Inc., of Hollister.

	Tips on Ticks for Lyme Disease Awareness Month
	Partly due to global warming and the proliferation of ticks, Lyme disease is the fastest growing infectious disease in the US. Here’s how to protect yourself.

	Youth Alliance Hosts ‘Youth Rising’ Awards Gathering
	The nonprofit Youth Alliance celebrated youth leadership with the community on May 2 in a gathering called Youth Rising.

	Burning Man Comes to Tres Pinos
	The 12th annual UnSCruz event, a four-day bounty of free style art projects, oddball vehicles, tricycles, motorized gizmos, outlandish costumes, food and drink extravaganzas, music, dance and more unfolded May 2-5 at the San Benito County Fairgrounds.

	Hollister Council Renews Wastewater Contract
	Hollister City Council voted unanimously to renew its wastewater treatment plant operations agreement with its current contractor. Negotiations for a shorter term agreement will continue.

	Rain Does Not Dampen Turnout at the Hollister Wine and Beer Stroll
	The rain began on May 5, just before the Hollister Downtown Association’s annual Wine & Beer Stroll started, and it lasted just until the event was over and the participants were packing up and leaving.

Government Announcements