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From Benito Link...
Project Developer Sues San Benito County
The developer of the Lands of Lee project to develop housing on Fairview Road has sued San Benito County for denial a permit to proceed, citing process violations of various laws.
Appeal of Rejected Environmental Report Withdrawn
Citing no reason, local landfill operator Waste Solutions withdrew its appeal of the San Benito County Planning Commission’s denial of certification of the Environmental Impact Report for a project to expand the landfill.
New Public Defender Chosen by San Benito Supervisors
Beginning May 1, Harry Damkar will provide indigent defense services for the county, replacing the Fitzgerald, Alvarez & Ciummo law firm.
EIR Decision Appealed
The operator of the John Smith Road Landfill appealed the San Benito County Planning Commission’s decision against certifying the environmental impact report required for expansion of the facility.
State Report Cites 'Inadequate' Public Defender Services in San Benito County
County’s public defense system lack of structured leadership, transparency, accountability and funds, and frequent attorney turnover, high caseloads and low litigation noted.
County Gets Going on Public Transit Improvements
Transportation Planner Douglas Kean says less than 1% of county residents use San Benito County’s public transit system and that transit operations need to be fundamentally restructured.
The Twists, Turns and Shifts in Power That Created San Benito County
San Benito County was founded Feb. 12, 1874, ending its 24 years as part of Monterey County. It was an inevitable chapter in a story that began in 1797. And that story is about land.
Candidates Address Local Issues in BenitoLink’s Election Forum
Board of Supervisors hopefuls speak about repairing roads, providing affordable housing and the landfill expansion project.
San Benito Supervisors Ax New Community Study Areas From General Plan
In a 4-1 vote, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors agreed to remove four “New Community Study Areas” from the county’s General Plan. Supervisor Kollin Kosmicki introduced the motion and Supervisor Bea Gonzales voted “no.”
County Offers Updated Option for the Future of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital
A proposal was delivered to the San Benito Healthcare District, which included an updated Letter of Intent, a draft Joint Powers of Authority agreement, and other paths for achieving financial viability.
2024 Primary Election: San Benito County Board of Supervisors District 5
Incumbent Bea Gonzales and challenger Ignacio Velazquez are running in the District 5 seat, which covers north county between Hwy 25 and Hwy 156, the Hollister Municipal Airport and downtown Hollister.
2024 Primary Election Voter Guide
California’s primary is March 5, and candidates running for county seats can win if they get more than 50% of the votes. If no candidate wins outright, the top two move on to the Nov. 5 general election.
Planning Commission Rejects Landfill Environmental Report
San Benito County planners voted 4-1 against the John Smith Landfill expansion project’s EIR, conditional use permit and General Plan amendment.
Homeless ‘Point-in-Time’ Count Canvasses Hollister
Before the sun came up, county staff, law enforcement and volunteers gathered to perform the 2024 Point-in-Time count, which counts homeless people in the county every two years.
2024 Primary Elections: San Benito County Board of Supervisors District 1
Three candidates are running for the seat: incumbent Dom Zanger and challengers Dustin Weber and Stacie A. McGrady. District 1 is the northeast part of the county.
SBC Supervisors Weigh General Plan Changes
The San Benito County Board of Supervisors proposed changes to the county’s 2035 General Plan’s agriculture policy, as well as its land use element, housing element and circulation element.
2024 Primary Election: San Benito County Board of Supervisors District 2
Two candidates are running for the District 2 seat: San Juan Bautista Councilmember John Freeman and incumbent Kollin Kosmicki.
County Sales Tax Has Generated Over $40 Million So Far
Measure G has brought in more money than originally projected, generating $43.3 million as of March 2023. It was expected to generate about $33 million by that time.
Major Projects in 2024
BenitoLink looks ahead to construction projects in the county that are expected to begin or be completed in 2024.
Health Disparities Seen for Latinos, Youth in San Benito County
A presentation to the San Benito County Board of Supervisors on morbidity and mortality rates noted that cardiovascular-related deaths are declining, but injury deaths have risen.
Registrar Says ex-Hollister Mayor Eligible to Run for Supervisor Seat
A group of county residents challenged former Hollister mayor Ignacio Velazquez’s candidacy for the San Benito County Board of Supervisors, but Registrar of Voters Francisco Diaz affirms his eligibility to run.
County Considers Removing New Community Study Areas
The San Benito County Planning Commission voted to recommend to the Board of Supervisors that it delete four New Community Study Areas from the 2035 General Plan after Senior Planner Kelley recommended removing those areas from consideration for future developments.
Elections Office Launches Platform for Reporting Violations
Complaints can be submitted in writing via email or traditional mail to the Elections Department; all will be personally overseen by the County Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters.
San Benito County Employees Get New Union Contract
After months of negotiations, supervisors approve a contract agreement with SEIU, Management Employees Group and Law Enforcement Management Employees.
FBI Looking into Alleged Embezzlement at Library
San Benito County Sheriff Eric Taylor told BenitoLink the county auditor’s office discovered “hundreds of thousands” of dollars in misappropriated funds used to purchase merchandise under fraudulent accounts from the San Benito County Free Library.
A Look at Who’s in the Running
The deadline to submit nomination for the March 5 primary election was Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. Here is the unofficial list of candidates vying for office.
San Benito County Elections Department Takes Precautionary Measures in Light of Threats
In collaboration with the Offices of the County Administration, Emergency Services, and Sheriff, the elections staff are implementing precautionary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of employees. Vigilance and caution are being exercised in the handling of election mail.
SAFE Expands After Two Years
Behavioral Health Management Services Manager Nancy Abellera and Hollister Police Department Officer Staci Esqueda have had success in reducing mental health crisis incidents through the Support, Awareness, Follow-up and Engagement (SAFE) program,
Intergovernmental Committee Looking to Limit Access Points on Highway 156
The Intergovernmental Committee approved a letter asking Caltrans to prohibit left turns onto Highway 156 from Flint and Bixby roads and Lucy Brown Lane between 3-7 p.m.
County Begins Study for Hwy. 129 Commercial Project
The San Benito County Planning Commission issued a notice of preparation for an environmental impact report for a proposed project at the Hwy 129 and Searle Road intersection.
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