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By Eric Johnson
Published Nov 04, 2024

Barricades being installed outside the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 3, 2024, Barricades being installed outside the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 3, 2024, Image credit: CALocal photo

A Cure for Election Anxiety

First: If, like me, you are one of those procrastinators who still celebrates Election Day the traditional way, a reminder that a few scrolls below, you will find a quick-and-easy list of stories from newsrooms in your county that might help you with your decisions.

And: Here is a handy, comprehensive set of Voting FAQs from our friends at Local News Matters.

The subject line for this edition of The Newsletter was going to be “a love letter to democracy”—a nickname Chris Neklason has given to a series of blog posts that we take turns writing. As you may have noticed, I chose a different angle.

I began to change my mind after I saw a couple of texts from family members in Washington D.C.. “The Observatory is being boarded up,” the first text read, referring to the historic U.S. Naval Observatory, which since 1977 has served as the residence of the vice president of the United States. A reply came shortly thereafter: “That means they’re expecting violence.”

A few minutes later I saw Steve Bannon’s face on the front page of the New York Times alongside a disturbing article, and that sealed the deal. A headline reported that Bannon and his allies are spreading disinformation “inviting chaos if Harris wins the race.” 

If you have been protecting your mental health by avoiding frightening news like this, forgive me; I believe the photograph above says all we need to say about our perilous situation right now, so let’s jump immediately to the love-letter portion of this note. 

Let’s get to the good news—the running theme here at the Newsletter: how democracy works.


A Love Letter to Democracy

It was Chris N. himself who suggested the headline just above as a subject for this week’s Newsletter. He did so because he spent much of last week reading scores of news stories in the 10 counties we serve, and came away from that exercise feeling hopeful.

All over Northern California, and all across the nation for that matter, people are in the process of making decisions about the cities and counties they call home. Chris, who is in the unique position of surveying and accumulating information about civic life from Big Sur to Lake Tahoe, reports that local news outlets statewide are doing a good job of getting their readers the information they need to vote.                                                                                                               

A few years back, when building the database that underlies California Local, Chris made a similar discovery— and wrote about it in our first love letter to democracy. Then-managing editor, Sharan Street made her own discovery several months later—her love note also has Evergreen value. Taken together, I hope they help with your sanity.


The Genius of Democracy

A graph of a social network.
In which we ponder human self organization.

I’ve Got a Hunch


And I know you have one as well. Let’s compare notes.


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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!


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San Benito County Community Action Board logo San Benito County Community Action Board

“Ending Poverty by Empowering People” is the goal of the San Benito County Community Action Board.

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From Our Media Allies

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Local News Matters Stockton logo State Water Officials Alarmed at Discovery of Invasive Mussel Species in Port of Stockton

A “significant threat” to the Delta has been discovered in the Port of Stockton. The golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei), an invasive, non-native freshwater bivalve, was recently discovered in the port by California Department of Water Resources staff while conducting routine …

Benito Link logo Insight Health Walks Away From Management Agreement With New Jersey Hospital Group

Insight Health, the company looking to take over Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, terminated an agreement with CarePoint Health, which operates a hospital group in Hudson County, New Jersey. Insight’s CEO, Dr. Jawad Shah stepped down as CarePoint Health’s president and …

Benito Link logo 12 Days of Giving Campaign Empowers Support for CASA’s Foster Children

Each year, CASA of San Benito County advocates for and provides essential services to foster children in our community. These vital services are delivered by community members who receive training from experts in the field.CASA San Benito County believes that …

Gilroy Dispatch logo Voting Centers, Dropboxes Are Open

Citizens throughout the nation have begun voting in the 2024 general election, and voters in Santa Clara County can cast their ballots at in-person voting centers or at a number of secure dropboxes throughout the county until the night of …

Benito Link logo San Juan Bautista Growth Committee Passes Final Draft Agreement With County

Under pressure from City Manager Don Reynolds and the San Juan Bautista City Council to complete its work, the city’s Urban Growth Boundary Committee voted Oct. 28 to submit the finished draft of its final project, a memorandum of understanding, …

Benito Link logo Law Enforcement: Public Safety Major Roadblock to Hosting Biker Rally

Though the Hollister Biker Rally isn’t happening in 2025, the city is exploring its feasibility for the future. Among the options discussed at an Oct. 29 meeting were decentralizing the event from downtown, hosting at a time other than Fourth …

Benito Link logo BenitoLink’s ‘Vintage 14’ Fall Fundraiser Kickoff Set for Nov. 8

BenitoLink hosts its second annual Fall Fundraiser kickoff, Vintage 14, on Friday, Nov. 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Damm Vineyards in Hollister. The celebration marks the end of the harvest season in San Benito County and the …

Benito Link logo 5 Facts About Measure a Campaign Funding

Measure A, the initiative that would change the way land use decisions are made in San Benito County, is one of the crucial items on the Nov. 5 ballot. BenitoLink reviewed the funding statements that the “Yes” and “No” sides …

Benito Link logo Hollister School District Gives Update on Facility Improvements

The Hollister School District has been busy making improvements to various sites’ facilities and grounds. HSD Director of Facilities, Aaron Buzzetta updated trustees about the wide range of facilities projects at the board meeting Oct. 22. 

Benito Link logo ‘Honest Mistake’ Led to No on A Donations Being Misreported, Says San Benito County

Ana De Castro Maquiz wasn’t irate over an Oct. 18 article in the Hollister Free Lance that opponents of San Benito County’s Measure A had misreported $189,000 in campaign contributions.The San Jose Mercury News also recently reported that opponents of …

Benito Link logo Recent Business Closures Are a Wakeup Call for San Juan Bautista

At a San Juan Bautista Planning Commission meeting back on Aug. 27, Chairman Jose Aranda said he had been told that one of the city’s businesses—“a major player here in town”—would likely close in a few weeks.

Benito Link logo San Benito/Monterey Awarded $6.2 Million to Address Homelessness

Expanding California’s unprecedented support for local efforts to create long-term solutions to address homelessness, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that 37 regional grantees representing 100 local communities and organizations statewide will receive more than $827 million in new state investments …

Benito Link logo Hollister Planning Commission Moves Draft 2040 General Plan Forward

On Oct. 25, the Hollister Planning Commission unanimously approved recommending that the City Council adopt the 2040 general plan and certify its environmental impact report.

Benito Link logo Despite Housing Crisis, San Benito County Planners Deny Project

After a two-year-long push and pull, the San Benito County Planning Commission denied the 141 single-family-unit project known as Lands of Lee, proposed for Fairview Road in Hollister.

Benito Link logo San Benito Health Foundation Steps Into the Health-Culture Intersection

Dr. Erica Ceballos had been working at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social in Tijuana for nine years when she was referred to apply for a program that allowed Mexican doctors to practice in underserved areas in California. Three years …

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Recent Statewide News

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• GivingTuesday Explained

Learn more about the annual fundraising day on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, this year falling on December 3.

(11/04/2024) → Monterey Herald

• Santa Clara County Ramps Up Response as Invasive Mosquito Detected in More Areas

The invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitos have been detected in more areas of Santa Clara County, prompting officials to hold meetings to discuss their response to the threat posed by the species. 

(11/01/2024) → Local News Matters

• A Century Later, Salmon Again Spawning in Klamath River After Dams Removed

Sixty years ago, I was a reporter for the Klamath Falls (Oregon) Herald and News and with my family lived in a small house on the Link River, which flows out of Upper Klamath Lake, draining a large portion of the Cascade mountain range.

(10/31/2024) → CalMatters

• It’s Hard to Vote in California When You’re Homeless. Why It Matters When Their Voices Are Silenced

Homeless Californians face many barriers to casting a ballot, even in elections that affect their lives. Some counties and nonprofits are trying to boost turnout.

(10/30/2024) → CalMatters

• A Third Straight Year With No California Salmon Fishing?  Early Fish Counts Suggest It Could Happen

Low counts of spawning salmon could mean another year without fishing. Experts say the outlook still has time to turn around.

(10/30/2024) → CalMatters

• Bird Flu Jumped From Cows to People. Now Advocates Want More Farmworkers Tested

A strain of bird flu that imperiled California poultry and cattle has jumped to people. In humans, the symptoms are mild and the virus has not been transmitted among people.

(10/29/2024) → CalMatters

• California’s Transition Off Carbon Fuels Could Upset Gasoline Supply, Prices

California motorists buy and consume a billion gallons of gasoline each month and are very sensitive about pump prices, which are markedly higher than those in other states. Naturally, they are a political football.

(10/29/2024) → CalMatters
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (11/03/2024)

Savencia Cheese USA Announces an Expanded Voluntary Recall of Select Soft Ripened Cheeses

Savencia Cheese USA is recalling select soft ripened cheeses manufactured in our Lena manufacturing facility because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and
Image of United States seal. United States   (11/02/2024)

Savencia Cheese USA Announces Voluntary Recall of Select Soft Ripened Cheeses

Savencia Cheese USA is recalling select soft ripened cheeses manufactured in our Lena manufacturing facility because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and
Image of United States seal. United States   (10/31/2024)

HH Fresh Trading Corp Recalls Taiwan Enoki 200gx25pk Because of Possible Health Risk

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 elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms suc
Image of United States seal. United States   (10/31/2024)

Elevation Foods Issues Recall Due to Undeclared Soy in Hannaford Seafood Salad

Danvers, Massachusetts. R. Walters LLC dba Elevation Foods is recalling 1,668 units of mislabeled Hannaford Seafood Salad 12oz because it contains an undeclared Soy allergen. Consumers with an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they
Image of United States seal. United States   (10/29/2024)

A Tu Gusto, LLC Recalls Frozen Croquette Products Produced Without the Benefit of Inspection and Undeclared Allergens

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2024 - A Tu Gusto, LLC, a Lehigh Acres, Fla. firm, is recalling approximately 7,630 pounds of frozen meat and poultry croquette products that were produced without...
Image of United States seal. United States   (10/28/2024)

Dynarex Corporation Expands Recall to Include Additional Products Due to Possible Health Risk

Dynarex Corporation is expanding the recall initiated on September 19, 2024, to include an additional 373 cases of item number 4875, Dynacare Baby Powder, 14 oz., as well as 647 cases of item number 4874, Dynacare Baby Powder, 4 oz., because they have the potential to be contaminated with asbestos.
Image of United States seal. United States   (10/28/2024)

Atwater's Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Tree Nuts in "Spider Web Tart"

Atwater's of Baltimore, MD, is recalling its clam shell packages of spider web tarts sold 10/19/24 and 10/20/24 because they contain undeclared almond flour. People who have allergies to tree nuts run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
Image of United States seal. United States   (10/26/2024)

Fresh Express is Voluntarily Recalling a Limited Number of Gourmet Café Chicken Caesar Salad Bowls

Fresh Express is voluntarily recalling a limited number of Gourmet Cafe Chicken Caesar Salad Bowls due to the inclusion of recalled chicken items from BrucePac, an outside ingredient supplier. The BrucePac recall is due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The fresh vegetable components
Image of United States seal. United States   (10/25/2024)

Acme Smoked Fish Corporation Recalls Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon Due to Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination

Acme Smoked Fish Corporation is issuing a recall of 111 cases of Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon in twin 12oz package, UPC 0 96619 25697 6, Lot# 8512801270, Best-by-Date 11/13/2024 due to laboratory testing confirming Listeria monocytogenes on October 21, 2024. Listeria monocytogenes, an organism w
Image of United States seal. United States   (10/25/2024)

Grand Central Bakery Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in U-Bake Pie Crust, U-Bake Apple Pie, U-Bake Marionberry Pie, and U-Bake Chicken Pot Pie

October 25, 2024, Grand Central Bakery Portland, OR and Seattle, WA is recalling U- Bake frozen pie products and frozen pie dough because they may contain undeclared egg. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they co