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By Eric Johnson
Published Oct 07, 2024

Your Ballot Is in the Mail: It's Democracy Week 2024

Throughout California starting today, ballots are being put in the mail. It's go-time for Election 2024. Big week. Here's what you need to know.

In the News Feed below you will find quick-read links to articles about about important statewide and local races, keyed to your county so you can easily get to the news YOU can use. 

You may have caught wind of voter-restriction efforts by state lawmakers who have bought into the lie that mail-in voting breeds fraud. We present a hot-off-the-presses report from a non-partisan think tank that details how that perilous situation is shaping up. And how California lawmakers have moved in the opposite direction, making it easier than ever for voters to cast their ballots.

And: Because we believe in ending our News Features section on an upnote, we bring you the surprising and inspiring story of one of the nation's greatest champions of voting and democracy: Yep: the League of Women Voters. If you think the woman who built this organization were anything less than a passionate band of warriors, you should read this and educate yourself!

And in case you forgot: a Fall recipe ... and more!


Defending Democracy

As voters receive their ballots for the 2024 presidential election and important statewide and local races, we look at efforts to build democracy, and efforts to weaken it.


The Attack on the Popular Vote

Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr., a staunch defender of voting rights.
In more than 30 states, it’s harder than ever to vote this year. But in California, it’s never been easier.

Doing Good: The League of Women Voters

A portrait of the first Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters in Chicago in 1920.
The decades of work to win the right to vote for women was only the beginning.


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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!


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 Fall! cookbook.


Like apple pie filling without the crust

Try these sautéed apples on waffles or pancakes for breakfast -- or pound cake or ice cream for dessert.
New! Maple sautéed apples make a great topping for waffles, pound cake and more


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Get to Know a Group

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 De Anda Seeks to Unseat Incumbent

The Hollister City Council has two district seats and an at-large mayorship on the ballot this November.

Benito Link logo BenitoLink Releases General Election Forum Videos and Survey

BenitoLink hosted a General Election Forum at the Granada Theater in Hollister on Sept. 28. About 120 people were in attendance.

SanBenitocom logo Picha Takes on Incumbent for Council

The Hollister City Council has two district seats and an at-large mayorship on the ballot this November.

Benito Link logo Hwy 156 Traffic to Shift Expressway Lanes Oct. 11

Another major milestone will be reached on the State Route 156 Improvement Project as Caltrans will be shifting all SR 156 traffic onto the newly constructed expressway lanes, just south of the existing SR 156 on the night of October …

Benito Link logo Q&A: 18th District Congressional Race

Hollister resident Peter Hernandez is running against incumbent Zoe Lofgren for the 18th Congressional District seat in the Nov. 5 election.

Gilroy Dispatch logo Gilroy Foundation Opens Annual Community Grant Cycle

Gilroy Foundation’s 2025 competitive grant cycle started Oct. 1, with a goal of “empowering and enhancing the Gilroy community through philanthropy,” according to the local nonprofit.

Benito Link logo County Planners Approve New Betabel Property Lines

The San Benito County Planning Commission has approved the subdivision of the property where the 30-acre commercial development known as the Betabel Road Project would be located.

SanBenitocom logo Nominations Open for San Benito Veteran of the Year

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), in collaboration with VFW Post 9242, this week announced that nominations for the 2024 Veteran of the Year Award are open. The award will be presented during the annual Veterans Day Ceremony …

Gilroy Dispatch logo San Martin Airport Day Is Oct. 26

The fourth annual San Martin Airport Day and Food Truck Fly-In is scheduled for 9am-3pm Oct. 26 at the San Martin Airport. The free event features aircraft demonstrations; food offerings from local food trucks; live music; aircraft on display; skydiving …

SanBenitocom logo Hollister Begins Roadway, Alley Improvements

The city of Hollister has begun work on its Citywide Roadway Improvement Project, which is set to improve and upgrade more than 18 lane miles of local streets and 40 curb ramps, and reconstruct 588 linear feet of sidewalks, according …

Gilroy Dispatch logo Gilroy DMV Office Reopens Oct. 14

The California Department of Motor Vehicles this week announced that the Gilroy office at 6984 Automall Parkway will reopen at 8am Oct. 14, following an extensive summer long renovation.

Benito Link logo Hollister City Council Discusses Single-Use Plastic Ordinance

The Hollister City Council is considering an ordinance to reduce single-use plastics. To ease the financial burden on restaurants and other impacted businesses, the proposed ordinance would be implemented in three phases.

Benito Link logo Seventh Year for Anderson Homes’ “Giving Back Starts at Home”

For the seventh year in a row, Anderson Homes will be donating to local nonprofits in San Benito County.

Benito Link logo Gavilan Sets Its Budget for New Fiscal Year

Gavilan College’s 2023-24 enrollment was the first to reach the pre-pandemic level, at 5,074 full-time equivalent students (FTES). This metric is used to calculate how much revenue the school receives from the county and state.Gavilan’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved …

Benito Link logo BenitoLink Election Forum Hears Debate on Controversial Local Measures

The future of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital (Measure X) and the question of how land use decisions are made (Measure A) were among the topics debated at BenitoLink’s 2024 Election Forum on Sept. 28.

Benito Link logo She’s Picky but We Love Her

This very local newsroom, BenitoLink, is really much bigger than our board, our interns and our news team.

Benito Link logo Leases Available at New Santana Ranch Development

A new development in the Santana Ranch community is offering retail locations for lease. Located on the northeast corner of Hillcrest Road and Fairview Road, it’s planned as a grocery-anchored shopping center that will feature other shops and possibly include …

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Recent Statewide News

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• Laphonza Butler Wants You to Know She’s Your U.S. Senator

Ever since Laphonza Butler took herself out of the running for U.S. Senate a year ago — just two weeks after Gov. Gavin Newsom picked her to replace the late Dianne Feinstein — she has faded into the background quite a bit.

(10/04/2024) → CalMatters

• Election Explainer: Proposition 35

The Mercury News explains the Proposition 35 to renew the existing tax used to fund Medi-Cal health services.

(10/04/2024) → The Mercury News

• State COVID Surge Over But More to Come

The summer COVID surge in California may be finally abating, but people are still advised to get update vaccines in anticipation of a resurgence in the fall and winter.

(10/02/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• California Collects Millions in Stolen Wages, but Can’t Find Many Workers to Pay Them

The state Labor Commissioner sometimes struggles to get back pay to workers when it reaches wage theft settlements. It tries social media, TV and hotlines. But money owed to employees is still sitting in state accounts.

(10/02/2024) → CalMatters

• A Minimum Wage Increase for California Health Care Workers Is Finally Kicking In

A California minimum wage law that was delayed amid budget troubles is now set to go into effect Oct. 16. It’s expected to benefit hundreds of thousands of workers.

(10/01/2024) → CalMatters

• Newsom’s Gas Price Bill Passes Assembly, but Senate Plan Still Uncertain

The Assembly approves Gov. Newsom’s bill on oil refineries on a 44-17 vote. But the state Senate will have its say during the special session.

(10/01/2024) → CalMatters
  California Local Pin Marker  

Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (10/04/2024)

Jacks and the Green Sprouts Recalls Alfalfa and Alfalfa Onion Sprouts Because of Possible Health Risk

Jack and the Green Sprouts, Inc. of River Falls, WI is recalling its 5 ounce packages of Alfalfa and Alfalfa Onion sprouts because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or el
Image of United States seal. United States   (10/04/2024)

Lunds & Byerlys Voluntarily Recalls L&B Lone Star Dip Due to Potential Mold

Edina, Minn. (October 4, 2024) - Lunds & Byerlys is voluntarily recalling approximately 500 containers of L&B Lone Star Dip because of potential mold growth contamination. The recalled product was sold at Lunds & Byerlys stores throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding area.
Image of United States seal. United States   (10/04/2024)

Youngstown Grape Distributors Inc. Recalls Happy Moose Juice Tropical Roots and Happy Moose Strawberry Fields Because of Possible Health Risk

Youngstown Grape Distributors Inc., a co-manufacturer for Happy Moose Juice, is voluntarily recalling Happy Moose Tropical Roots Juice (Lot# H240903-E BEST BY 12/02/2024) and Happy Moose Strawberry Fields (Lot# H240903-H, BEST BY 12/02/2024) because a portion of the production made did not complete
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (10/03/2024)

Dawn Addis CA Assembly 30:
AB 3233 Oil & Gas Community Choice Press Conference

Wednesday, October 2, 2024 Legislation by Assemblymember Addis prioritizes community choice on safety and environmental issues was signed into law by Governor Newsom. Assembly Bill 3233 empowers local governments and residents to have a stronger voice on proposed oil and gas operations, ensuring that decisions impacting the environment and public health reflect the priorities of their communities.
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (10/02/2024)

Dawn Addis CA Assembly 30:
Asm. Dawn Addis Delivers Remarks on AB 3233: Oil and Gas: Operations: Restrictions: Local Authority

Asm. Dawn Addis Delivers Remarks on AB 3233: Oil and Gas: Operations: Restrictions: Local Authority sanchema Wed, 10/02/2024 - 09:15 Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (09/30/2024)

John Laird CA Senate 17:
Senator John Laird’s Statement on Final Actions of the 2023-2024 Legislative Session

SACRAMENTO Following Governor Gavin Newsoms final bill consideration actions of the 2023-2024 legislative session, State Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) issued the following statement:
Image of United States seal. United States   (09/27/2024)

Pork Dynasty Inc. Recalls Ready-to-Eat Fried Pork Skin Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27, 2024 - Pork Dynasty Inc., a Houston, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 469 pounds of ready-to-eat fried pork skin products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen...
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (09/25/2024)

Dawn Addis CA Assembly 30:
Governor Signs Addis Bill to Empower Communities Against Big Oil

Governor Signs Addis Bill to Empower Communities Against Big Oil sanchema Wed, 09/25/2024 - 15:51 Wednesday, September 25, 2024 SACRAMENTO Legislation by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) that prioritizes community choice on safety and environmental issues was signed into law today by Governor Gavin Newsom. Assembly Bill 3233 empowers local governments and residents to have a stronger voice on proposed …
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (09/24/2024)

John Laird CA Senate 17:
Governor Newsom Signs Legislation To Support California's Composting Goals

SACRAMENTO This past weekend, Governor Newsom announced the signing of Senate Bill 1046 authored by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), which strengthens Californias ability to meet its methane reduction goals by creating a program environmental impact report for the development of small and medium compost facilities.
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (09/24/2024)

John Laird CA Senate 17:
Governor Newsom Signs Legislation To Advance Safe Drinking Water Access

SACRAMENTO, CA Governor Newsom announced the signing of Senate Bill 1188 authored by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), which promotes safe and reliable drinking water access for Californians by assuring small water systems meet minimum standards of operation.