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By Eric Johnson
Published Jan 20, 2025

Edgar McGregor picking up trash on March 18, 2024 in Eaton Canyon. Ten months later, McGregor’s posts on Facebook saved a lot of lives as the Eaton Fire blazed through Altadena.
Edgar McGregor picking up trash on March 18, 2024 in Eaton Canyon. Ten months later, McGregor’s posts on Facebook saved a lot of lives as the Eaton Fire blazed through Altadena.

People Have the Power

Recognizing that today is both MLK Day and Inauguration Day, a fact that provides obvious opportunities to draw contrasts between Martin Luther King and Donald J. Trump, we choose instead to keep The Newsletter on message, which is to say local, and focused on solutions.  

Today we recognize two instances of people-power being exerted by a couple of ordinary heroes. The first you may have heard about—a young Altadena weather-watcher who mounted an effort on social media that saved a lot of people from possible fiery death. (As it happens, we know this guy.)

The second story is less-obviously heroic, but in this era of mass misinformation, the effort of another young man to counteract a campaign that could cripple smart development in the little city of Hollister is worth noting.

And in celebration of this issue's theme, dig this tune for our times from Patti Smith, singing one of the greatest small-d democratic anthems ever written— her own (you guessed it) “People Have the Power. This might be just the thing you need today.


Saving Lives and Fighting Lies

In LA County, a young meteorologist started a Facebook page to help his neighbors keep track of the weather. In San Benitio County, a student of land-use planning started a website to counteract misinformation (and incivility) on NextDoor. Sometimes, as they say, what happens online is happening In Real Life.  


Life and Death and Weather and Planning

Satellite image of Altadena before and after the Eaton Fire.
Raymond Martinez and Edgar McGregor are practitioners of the art of digital citizenship. As allies in this endeavor, we commend their righteous efforts.


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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 Winter! cookbook.


Serve season's oranges dressed for dinner -- or breakfast

Blood oranges deliver the eye-catching color in this plate of seasonal citrus. The lavender-lemon syrup, at upper right, is pretty, too.
Blood oranges and navels with a lavender-lemon syrup


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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Benito Link logo San Juan Bautista Boy Scouts Seek to Help LA Fire Victims

The Boy Scouts of San Juan Bautista’s Troop 428, founded in 1937, have once again lived up to the organization’s motto, “Be Prepared.” Already known for volunteering in the community at festivals and events and for close cooperation with the …

Benito Link logo San Benito High School District Set to Acquire Additional Property for Proposed New Campus

The San Benito High School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the acquisition of additional property for its proposed new campus on the north side of Hollister. The board approved purchasing 13.98 acres on Westside Road for $1.54 million.

Benito Link logo Public Alzheimer’s Conference Coming to San Juan Bautista on Jan. 30

On Jan. 30, the Mary Velasco Sellen Senior Center in San Juan Bautista will hold its first major conference, “A Conversation on Alzheimer’s Care," from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., presented by Geiger and Health Projects Center Family Consultant Christina …

Benito Link logo Cal Fire Warns About Scam Donation Requests

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) is alerting the public about fraudulent social media accounts impersonating Cal Fire and soliciting donations. Cal Fire does not solicit donations from the public, either in person or online.Additionally, all …

Local News Matters Stockton logo Where Are All the Eggs? Bird Flu’s Spread Not the Only Culprit in Crisis of Global Proportions

IF YOU HAVE tried to bake a cake recently, you might have had a hard time finding eggs. The empty shelves are a sign of the devastating impact of avian influenza, H5N1 or HPAI, on commercial poultry flocks in California.

Benito Link logo Anzar High School Hosts First-Ever Career Fair for Students

San Juan Bautista’s Anzar High School hosted its first-ever career fair on Jan. 16, drawing representatives from 20 colleges, 47 industry partners (including BenitoLink) and four military branches. For two hours, almost 500 sixth- through 12th-grade students from the Aromas-San …

Benito Link logo For San Benito Blueprint, It’s Just the Facts

Raymond Martinez has lived in San Benito County for only six months. Still, he has already launched his new website, The San Benito Blueprint, which he hopes will help county residents cut through the misinformation and conjecture surrounding city and …

SanBenitocom logo HHMH Outlines Covenants of Sale to Insight

In a deal that promises to stabilize the future of healthcare in San Benito County, Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital is continuing to perform due diligence on transitioning to new ownership, says a press release from the hospital.

Benito Link logo Supervisors Demand to Have a Say Over the Future of Hazel Hawkins

At a Jan. 14 meeting, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors discussed the future of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital. By a unanimous vote, they decided to approach the San Benito Health Care District in an effort to stymie the …

Benito Link logo Three Teenagers Killed in Car Accident on Shore Road

At around 7 pm on Tuesday, Jan. 14, the driver of a black Acura traveling west on Shore Road lost control of the vehicle, which crossed into opposing traffic and collided with a white Sedan. Three of the four teenagers …

Benito Link logo San Juan’s Sellen Senior Center Receives Three-Year Wi-Fi Grant

The Mary Velasco Sellen Senior Center, which opened last August, has taken a big step toward its goal of becoming a hub of activity and information for San Juan Bautista’s older residents. On Jan. 13, Etheric Networks installed a new …

SanBenitocom logo Rivas Visits L.A. Wildfire Scene

California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, of Hollister, and a delegation of 14 Assembly members met with firefighters and officials in Los Angeles last week to discuss how to further assist emergency response efforts, and to fast-track recovery from the devastating …

Benito Link logo Community Foundation Offers Ways to Help Residents Affected by SoCal Fires

Southern California is facing one of the most devastating wildfire seasons in recent history.
The Community Foundation for San Benito County has collected a list of vetted and trustworthy ways you can help your neighbors down south. Read on to …

Benito Link logo BenitoLink Selected for Report for America Program

Report for America has selected BenitoLink as a 2025 accelerator newsroom partner. BenitoLink is thrilled to accept the opportunity to participate in this new program, which is designed to bring immediate and long-term solutions to the challenges of funding local …

Benito Link logo San Benito-Monterey CAL FIRE Helps Battle Los Angeles Blaze

This is the second article in our recent Los Angeles Fires coverage. The San Benito-Monterey Unit of CAL FIRE has sent a third of its staff to contain the fires raging in Los Angeles. The region’s Unit Chief, George Núñez, …

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Recent Statewide News

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Will New Bond Funds Be Enough to Rebuild LA Schools — And All of California’s Other Crumbling Schools?

Some schools destroyed years ago in the Sonoma and Butte fires are just now reopening. The long, expensive process of rebuilding in LA may eat up much of the money voters approved in November for school repairs statewide.

(01/21/2025) CalMatters
Trump Takes Step to Overhaul Delta Water Deliveries to Farms, Cities

Trump apparently wants to override new Biden-Newsom rules that have widespread support among Southern California cities and some Central Valley farmers.

(01/21/2025) CalMatters
Resistance State: Tracking California’s Lawsuits Against the New Trump Administration

California’s Democratic leaders set aside tens of millions of dollars to challenge President Donald Trump’s executive orders and policies.

(01/21/2025) CalMatters
Trump’s New Executive Orders Target Policies Dear to CA

With assurances that “sunlight is pouring over the entire world,” President Donald Trump was sworn into office Monday for his second term. He wasted no time taking potshots at California.

(01/20/2025) CalMatters
Fact Check: Did Gavin Newsom Really Help Create 625,000 New Job Opportunities in California?

In 2018, Newsom promised to add 500,000 new apprenticeships in the decade after taking office. The state is making progress, but how much depends on the definition of “apprenticeship.”

(01/20/2025) CalMatters
As President Trump Declares a Border Emergency on Day 1, California’s Targeted Immigrants Lie Low

Along the California-Mexico border, immigrants at risk of deportation are seeking to live undetected through an unprecedented crackdown.

(01/20/2025) CalMatters
An oasis of peace survives Palisades wildfire

Sacramento's 'rose man' shares how Lake Shrine and its World Peace Rose Garden made it through the firestorm

(01/19/2025) Sacramento Digs Gardening
PG&E Receives $15 Billion Federal Loan

Read on to learn more about the $15 billion loan guarantee to PG&E granted in the final hours of the Biden Administration.

(01/18/2025) The Mercury News
California Lags in Making Homes Fire Resistant

As wildfires ravage southern California, state mandated defensible space requirements legislated in 2020 haven't been encoded into enforceable regulations. Read on to learn why.

(01/17/2025) CapPublicRadio
More Funding Allocated to Raise San Luis Reservoir Dam

Read on for the latest progress in the B.F. Sisk Dam Raise and Reservoir Expansion Project to raise the dam at the San Luis Reservoir to add storage capacity.

(01/17/2025) San Joaquin Valley Sun
LA Fires Bring Scrutiny to Worker Safety, Private Firefighting

Describing the active wildfires in Southern California as a “catastrophe at an unprecedented scale,” Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas of Salinas gathered with dozens of Assemblymembers on Thursday in Los Angeles to introduce new bills that seek to quicken rebuilding efforts and lift development restrictions.

(01/16/2025) CalMatters
LA Will Need Workers to Clean Up After Fires. It Can Be a Dangerous Job

The LA fires have left domestic workers and day laborers jobless. They may soon be hired for wildfire cleanup work, where they can be exposed to ash and other toxins.

(01/16/2025) CalMatters
As LA Fires Destroy Homes, California’s Housing Crisis Is About to Get Worse

The wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles County communities have destroyed at least 10,000 homes so far and more are in the path of still-uncontrolled flames.

(01/16/2025) CalMatters
Private Firefighters Are Increasingly Popular With Insurers. But Do They Pose a Risk?

Robert MacKenzie is an assistant fire chief — but not the kind who works for your local fire department. As the Palisades Fire bore down on Southern California last week, the private fire crew he oversees headed out to help defend homes for their customers: insurance companies that offer wildfire protection to wealthy homeowners and others with the coverage built into their policies.

(01/16/2025) CalMatters
LA Wildfires Could Clobber California Economy as State Recovers From a Pandemic Recession

Three days after immensely destructive and deadly wildfires broke out in and around Los Angeles, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a $322.3 billion state budget with a positive revenue forecast “based on an assumption of continued but slowing economic growth.”

(01/15/2025) CalMatters
Hardening Your Home Against Wildfires - Wildfire Proven

Read on to learn about the measures taken to harden and protect the lone remaining house of the neighborhoodfrom the Pacific Palisades fire in Southern California.

(01/14/2025) The Sacramento Bee
CA Abandons Clean-Air Rules on Diesel Trucks

In a striking setback to reduce California’s air pollution but a win for trucking companies, state regulators have walked away from their ambitious plan to phase out diesel trucks less than a week before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House.

(01/14/2025) CalMatters
‘Literally Off the Charts’: LA’s Critically Dry Conditions Stun Scientists as Fires Rage

Key moisture measurements are only 2% to 5% of average, leaving dusty soils. And the recent swing from wet to dry is among the most extreme on record. This combination of climatic conditions crossed into a danger zone, priming much of Southern California for wind-whipped fires.

(01/14/2025) CalMatters
How the LA Fires Could Exacerbate California’s Homelessness Crisis

Jennielynn Holmes stood in the middle of a make-shift evacuation center when the scope of the crisis hit her.

(01/14/2025) CalMatters
Newsom Committed California to Making Its Own Insulin. It’s at Least a Year Behind His Schedule

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ambitious plan to produce a cheap, generic insulin for the 3.2 million Californians with diabetes is behind the schedule he announced and unlikely to make it to market for several years, industry experts say.

(01/14/2025) CalMatters
New California Bill Would Block Trans Females From Playing in Girls’ Sports

A new bill would remove the right of California’s female transgender athletes in to participate in high school sports teams that match their gender identity.

(01/14/2025) CalMatters
Presumptive Bird Flu Case Identified in San Francisco Child Who Has Since Recovered

A presumptive case of H5N1 bird flu has been identified in a child who resides in San Francisco, the city’s Department of Public Health announced.The child had a fever and conjunctivitis but did not need to be hospitalized and has since made a full recovery, public health officials said Friday.

(01/13/2025) Local News Matters
Small California Schools Brace for Layoffs as Congress Slashes Funding for Rural Education

Federal funding for rural schools goes to 39 California counties. School districts in those communities consider the money a lifeline.

(01/13/2025) CalMatters
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. D. Coluccio & Sons, Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almonds in "Colussi Cantuccini Chocolate Drops" Cookies
D. COLUCCIO & SONS, in is recalling its 300 gram packages of "Colussi Cantuccini Chocolate Drops" chocolate chip cookies because they may contain undeclared almonds.
United States   (01/20/2025)
Image of United States seal. Monkey Spit, LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk/Wheat/Soy in Monkey Spit BBQ Sauces
People who have allergies to milk/wheat/soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. The three recalled "Monkey Spit BBQ Sauces" were distributed locally in retail stores on the central coast of California and through mail orders on our website:
United States   (01/17/2025)
Image of United States seal. Wismettac Asian Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Curvee Puffs Corn Puff Snack Curry Flavor
Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc., Santa Fe Springs, CA is recalling 2.46 oz packages of Shirakiku brand Curvee Puffs Corn Puff Snack Curry Flavor. The product contains the undeclared milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reacti
United States   (01/17/2025)
Image of United States seal. Mutual Trading Co., Issues Allergy Alert Undeclared Milk in Prepared Monkfish Liver
New York Mutual Trading Co., Inc of Secaucus, NJ is recalling 7.05 oz of Prepared Monkfish Liver (Ankimobo) because the package label contains undeclared milk allergen. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk allergen run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if
United States   (01/15/2025)
Image of United States seal. Quaker Issues Limited Recall on Undeclared Milk in Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake & Waffle Mix Distributed in 11 States
January 14, 2025 - The Quaker Oats Company today issued a recall of a limited number of two pound boxes of Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake & Waffle Mix that may contain undeclared milk, after being alerted by a retail partner. Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk o
United States   (01/14/2025)
Image of United States seal. UP Products, LLC, DBA Meyer Wholesale Recalls Ready-To-Eat and Raw Sausage Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2025 - UP Products, LLC, doing business as Meyer Wholesale, a Ewen, Mich. establishment, is recalling approximately 400 pounds of sausage products due to misbranding and an...
United States   (01/13/2025)
Image of United States seal. Lifestyle Evolution Voluntarily Recalls NuGo Dark Chocolate Chip and NuGo Dark Pretzel Due to Undeclared Milk
Lifestyle Evolution Inc., is recalling select lots of NuGo Dark Chocolate Chip and Dark Chocolate Pretzel nutrition bars because they may contain undeclared milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume
United States   (01/10/2025)
Image of United States seal. The Mochi Ice Cream Company LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in Peach Mango Sorbet
The Mochi Ice Cream Company LLC, Vernon, California is recalling 1350 cases of Peach Mango Sorbet, because it may contain undeclared pasteurized cooked egg white. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs, run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume t
United States   (01/09/2025)
Image of United States seal. Apna Wholesale Issues Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in "Paras Premium Golden Raisins
Apna Wholesale Inc of Hicksville, NY, is recalling its 7oz and 14oz "Paras Premium Golden Raisins" because they contain undeclared Sulphur Dioxide (sulfites).
United States   (01/06/2025)
Image of United States seal. FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Frozen, Raw Ground Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2025 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns of frozen, raw ground beef...
United States   (01/05/2025)