Every so often a book aligns so closely with national headlines it almost seems that its publication was timed. Such is the case with Who Is Government?, from author and editor Michael Lewis, which comes to the defense of a federal workforce currently under attack.
One of the eight heroic government workers profiled in this book is Ron Walters, head of the VA’s National Cemetery Administration. I knew before I read the chapter about Walters that I wanted to write about this book, but my resolve to do so deepened after I read about him and his profoundly important work.
As it happens, my beloved sister-in-law works for VA (the Department of Veterans Affairs), and has worked for the federal government for many years. Over much of that time, I have witnessed her dedication to the missions of the departments she has served, and heard stories about her colleagues who were equally committed. In recent weeks, on the family text thread, I learned about sad and scary stuff that later showed up in the headlines.
In this week’s edition of The Newsletter, we bring you the second of a two-part series about books that confront topics we hold dear. As always, below, a News Digest that delivers information of relevance to you and the place you call home. Also, as always, a local community group doing good work in your county, and a recipe to nourish your body and soul.
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By Eric Johnson
Published Mar 31, 2025
Who Is Government?
What Good is Government?
Michael Lewis is a journalist closely associated with Brad Pitt—who starred in two movies made from Lewis’s previous books Moneyball and The Big Short. Will this new book about government workers spawn a Hollywood blockbuster? Will it spawn an uprising to defend much-maligned federal employees? We shall see.
Unlikely Tales of Bureaucratic Heroism
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.
Winter meets spring in strawberry-orange compote
Get to Know a Group
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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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Hazel Hawkins Hospital Board Unlikely to Continue Pursuit of Bankruptcy Protection |
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The San Benito Health Care District will not continue to pursue bankruptcy protection following an appellate court’s March 21 decision to uphold the dismissal of its petition. District board president Bill Johnson said the process has run its course, for … |
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Fire Service Negotiations Stall |
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265 days. That is how long San Benito County and San Juan Bautista were given until their fire service contract with the city of Hollister ends—unless they agree on new terms. Not only are the services in San Juan Bautista … |
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A Complete Year With the ‘Turbo Roundabout’ |
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It has been a full year since the “turbo roundabout” at the intersection of Highway 25 and Highway 156 near Hollister was fully completed, forever changing the intersection of the two highways. The turbo roundabout, uniquely designed for four-lane highways, … |
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San Juan Bautista Launches Junior Giants Baseball League |
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The City of San Juan Bautista Recreation Department is proud to announce that it will be hosting its own branch of the Junior Giants league this year, bringing an exciting and completely free baseball experience to local youth. |
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Housing for Homeless Families Coming in September |
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San Benito County is in the final stretch of completing a 16-unit housing development for homeless families, mostly funded by the state and located at the county-owned Migrant Center. Designed to help ease the county's rising homeless crisis, the project … |
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Students Present Their STEAM Skills |
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Hundreds of local students participated in the San Benito County Office of Education’s 2025 STEAM Expo on March 13 at the Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Hollister. The expo showcased 240 student projects in Math, Science, Art and Technology from … |
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Appeals Court Upholds Health Care District’s Bankruptcy Dismissal |
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On March 21, the Northern District of California Appellate Court upheld a bankruptcy judge’s order dismissing the San Benito Health Care District’s bankruptcy petition. The health care district said it does not expect last week’s ruling to affect its negotiations … |
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Sunnyslope School’s Food Pantry Now Open |
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Sunnyslope held a ribbon cutting ceremony March 14 for the new Food Pantry that acts as a satellite location in a partnership with the Food Bank of San Benito County. Funding for the pantry site came from the Community Schools … |
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South Valley Civic Theater Unveils 2025-26 Season |
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South Valley Civic Theater has unveiled an ambitious lineup for its upcoming 2025-26 season, featuring productions ranging from Tony Award-winning musicals to adaptations of popular Disney movies. |
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Homeless Encampment Clearing Begins in April |
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Eight months after Gov. Gavin Newsom authorized state agencies to clear homeless encampments, San Benito County is moving forward with a sweep of the camps along the San Benito River west of Hollister. |
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Amah Mutsun Land Trust Names New Director |
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The Amah Mutsun Land Trust board of directors appointed Noelle Chambers as its new executive director. |
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County Leaders Discuss Waste Solutions |
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The Board of Supervisors and county staff discussed various strategies for handling San Benito County’s waste management at its March 25 meeting. The John Smith Road Landfill, which handles all of the county’s trash, has around 13 years of capacity … |
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Health Officials Urge Public to Vaccinate Against Measles |
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With the recent rise of measles cases in areas across the U.S., Bay Area health officials are urging everyone to get the measles vaccination if they are not sure if they have been vaccinated, or if they did not have … |
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Health Officials Urge Public to Vaccinate Against Measles |
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With the recent rise of measles cases in areas across the U.S., Bay Area health officials are urging everyone to get the measles vaccination if they are not sure if they have been vaccinated, or if they did not have … |
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CHP Celebrates Largest Academy Graduation |
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The California Highway Patrol (CHP) promoted 125 cadets to the rank of officer. The graduation ceremony on March 21 marked the successful completion of a 26-week intensive training schedule at the California Highway Patrol Academy in West Sacramento. |
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LAFCO Names New Commissioner |
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At its March 13 meeting, the San Benito County Local Agency Formation Commission chose Julio Rodriguez as its new public member commissioner. Rodriguez is a longtime associate of LAFCO chair Kollin Kosmicki, who in three months has changed the course … |
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Recent Statewide News |
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Government Announcements |
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Undeclared Allergen in Trader Joe's Hot Honey Mustard Dressing with Use By Date of 05/27/2025 Issued by Fresh Creative Foods |
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Fresh Creative Foods is voluntarily recalling a single item with a specific use by date, produced at a regional facility and distributed to limited Trader Joe's locations. The product is Trader Joe's Hot Honey Mustard Dressing, with a Use By Date of 05/27/2025 due to labeling error. The incorrect
United States (03/30/2025)
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Cromer Food Services, Inc. Recalls Chicken Salad on White Sandwich Due to Undeclared Milk Allergen |
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Cromer Food Services, Inc. is recalling all lots of our CFS Cromer Food Service brand Chicken Salad on White Sandwich with UPC 31166 & UPC 13172 because it contains undeclared milk.
United States (03/27/2025)
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Frito-Lay Issues Limited Recall for Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips for Undeclared Milk |
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Frito-Lay today issued a recall of a limited number of 13 oz. bags of Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips that could include nacho cheese tortilla chips, and therefore may contain undeclared milk.
United States (03/26/2025)
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The Bakery Group Issues Allergen Alert on Undeclared Milk, Soy and Yellow FD&C #5 In Specific Bread and Hamburger Buns |
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The Bakery Group of Dallas, Tx is recalling 629 cases of Dense Brioche Pullman loaves, #654203 and 104 cases of 4.5in Brioche HB Buns, #54500 because they may contain undeclared Milk, Soy and Yellow FD&C#5. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to Soy, Wheat Milk or Yellow FD&C#5 run the
United States (03/25/2025)
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Dessert Holdings Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Tree Nut Allergen in Favorite Day(TM) Gourmet New York Style Cheesecake 6oz/2ct |
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Dessert Holdings LLC is recalling Target brand Favorite Day(TM) Gourmet New York Style Cheesecake 6oz/2ct, Lot code 25028A1 000039133 UPC 0 85239 09690 1 due to product mislabeling resulting in undeclared pecans. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to pecans run the risk of serious or life
United States (03/19/2025)
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Nestlé USA Announces Voluntary Recall of a Limited Quantity of Lean Cuisine® and STOUFFER'S® Frozen Meals Due to Potential Presence of Foreign Material |
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ARLINGTON, VA., March 17, 2025 - Nestle USA is initiating a voluntary recall of a limited quantity of Lean Cuisine and STOUFFER'S frozen meals due to the potential presence of wood-like material.
United States (03/17/2025)
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Seabear Company Recalls Smoked Salmon Chowder and Alehouse Clam Chowder Because of Possible Health Risk |
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SeaBear Company of Anacortes, Washington is recalling two variations of seafood chowder (Smoked Salmon Chowder & Alehouse Clam Chowder), because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death.
United States (03/15/2025)
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C.H. Guenther & Son LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in "365 Whole Foods Market Small Bites Macaroni & Cheese" |
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C.H. Guenther & Son LLC of San Antonio, TX, is recalling its 365 Whole Foods Market Small Bites Macaroni & Cheese because it may contain undeclared eggs and meat ingredients.
United States (03/14/2025)
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Har Maspeth Corp Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Eggs in "Jinga Glass Noodles w/ Vegetables (Japche)" |
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HAR Maspeth Corp, Maspeth NY, is recalling its 8 ounce and 12 ounce packages of "JINGA GLASS NOODLES W/ VEGETABLES (Japche)" because they contain undeclared eggs.
United States (03/14/2025)
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Liaoning Cheng Da USA Inc. of San Gabriel, California is Recalling Hot Pot Sauce Because it May Contain Undeclared Peanut, Soy, Sesame, and Wheat |
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On March 11, 2025, Liaoning Cheng Da USA Inc. of San Gabriel, California is recalling Hot Pot Sauce Because it may contain undeclared peanut, soy, sesame, and wheat. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanut, soy, sesame, and wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergi
United States (03/11/2025)
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