San Benito County Local News

Shortly after her appointment as interim superintendent of the Aromas-San Juan Unified School District, Barbara Dill-Varga sat down for an interview with BenitoLink. At the time, the late-season heat wave was her biggest worry as it exposed the flaws in the district’s inadequate air conditioning systems.

Nurses and members of the public tore into American Advanced Management Group, the company that is showing interest in purchasing Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, over allegations of bribery and the way the company staffs its facilities.

One month after Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital began negotiating with American Advanced Management, Madera Community Hospital Chief Executive Officer Karen Paolinelli said the company improperly influenced her.

The $700 million price tag sets a $7 billion mark that would make the Warriors one of the world’s most valuable sports teams.

The City Council agreed to send the 2023-2031 Housing Element and Fair Housing Analysis, which requires the city to plan for a minimum of 88 housing units over eight years, despite reservations.

Companies set the original test dates arbitrarily due to these diagnostic at-home tests being developed rapidly. So, check your boxes before you toss them.

Work on a new annex, visitors center and underground parking garage can legally begin after the state issued a final, court-ordered review of the project. Plans have been on hold since early 2021.

Several anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers are advertising abortion pill reversal. California Attorney General Rob Bonta calls the claims false advertising that mislead vulnerable patients.

Civic leaders gathered to participate in a listening session where they discussed topics such as crime, homelessness, behavioral health, substance abuse and county employee retention.

Outbreaks have wreaked havoc on the state’s river ecosystems for years. But this year was different. Faster, colder river waters led to fewer outbreaks of the harmful algae.

The San Benito County Elections Department has been temporarily relocated. Candidates are strongly encouraged to make an appointment by emailing sbcvote@cosb.us. The March 5 primary filing period began Sept. 14 and runs through Nov. 8.

The Community Food Bank of San Benito hosted an event called “Spooning the Lawn.” Food Bank CEO Sarah Nordwick said each spoon that was installed in the Veterans Memorial Building lawn represents 10 people in the county who are struggling with hunger.

A patchwork of bills are giving housing developers and local governments more options to reduce red tape for housing projects.

The Planning Commission voted to forward a draft of the 2023-2031 Housing Element and Fair Housing Analysis to the San Juan Bautista City Council before submitting it to the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

In a two-hour listening session hosted by BenitoLink, community leaders and residents shared concerns for seniors in San Benito County.

Incidents involving use of the systems, commonly known as drones, in firefighting airspace have led to the temporary suspension of critical aerial firefighting operations a half-dozen times so far this year.

An international team found that the amount of near-surface permafrost could drop by 93% compared to the preindustrial period of 1850 to 1900. Permafrost may exist only in the eastern Siberian uplands, Canadian High Arctic Archipelago and northernmost Greenland—as it did in the mid-Pliocene Warm Period.

Three changes were approved: terminating the Housing Advisory Committee; adding a requirement to build affordable units within 10 miles of an incorporated city; updating the 20% requirement for off-site rental units among very low, low and moderate income designations.

California voters likely will see a mental health ballot measure on the March 2024 election. One would issue a $6 billion bond to create housing for people with mental illnesses.

Unions won major victories this session on pay for fast food and health care workers, benefits for strikers and bargaining rights. Business groups say that labor has too much power at the Capitol.