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San Benito Agricultural Land Trust
Listed under: Land Use & Development Agriculture, Food & Gardening Sustainability
From CalMatters...
California May Ban Additives in Some CandiesâBut Not Skittles
The European Union has banned certain additives that are used in American candies and baked goods. California is on the cusp of prohibiting their sale by 2027.
From The Mercury News...
California Tops FEMAâs New List of Areas Vulnerable to Weather Disasters
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has identified nearly 500 âzonesâ that are ill-prepared to tolerate flooding, earthquakes, heat waves, wildfires, landslides and other natural hazards. California topped all states with 51 total zones, followed by 35 in Texas and 32 in Florida.
From YubaNet...
Cal Fire Issues Urgent Warning Regarding Incursions of Unmanned Aircraft Systems
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.
From Benito Link...
Community Vision San Benito County: Public Safety
Residents and agency professionals discussed solutions to local challenges in mental health, homelessness, substance abuse and youth decision-making with the BenitoLink team.
Fire Breaks Out in Hollister
The Hollister Fire Department responded to a structure fire on the 400th block of Fifth Street on Sept. 6. The building houses several government departments such as the clerks and election offices.
He Lied to Win a California Rehab Contract. Now Heâs Convicted of Exploiting Parolees in His Care
Attila Colar went to prison for lying to the government. After California gave him another contract as a provider in a rehabilitation program, a federal jury convicted him of fraud for using the personal information of Bay Area parolees and others to collect government COVID funds.
From CapPublicRadio...
Hotter Climate Means a Never-Ending Fire Season for the National Guard
After California lost over 4 million acres to fire in 2020, the state funded Task Force Rattlesnake, with National Guardsmen to assist Cal Fire.
San Francisco Wants Stop Sign on Driverless Cars
San Francisco isnât going to take last weekâs robotaxi decision by the California Public Utilities Commission lying down. Joined by the city's transit authority board, fire department and board of supervisors, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu filed motions on Wednesday to halt the unrestricted expansion of autonomous vehicles for commercial use.
Hollister to Consider Ladd Lane, Southside Project Following Input
The Hollister City Council is scheduled to review next steps on Ladd Lane and Southside Road. The project originally called for installing traffic calming measures to deter speeding. Since the city began work, members of the community have spoken against the measures.
Hollister Council Approves Wastewater Services to Gavilan, 2 Developments
Amid vociferous public opposition, the Hollister City Council approved wastewater services to the Fairview Corners subdivision, Gavilan College and Cielo Vista in partnership with the Sunnyslope Water District.
Record Numbers Die in California Jails. Will Lawmakers Finally Crack Down?
Locally elected sheriffs manage California jails and are responsible for the safety of the inmates they hold. Record deaths in San Diegoâs jail are shaping a plan for new statewide oversight.
California Prisons Visitor Strip Search Policy Targets Inmate Families
Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to make prisons a friendlier place for inmate families. An updated strip-search policy has some worried that families will face intrusive encounters during their visits.
Sexual Harassment Data From Cal State is âUnreliable.â No One Knows How Many Employees Have Been Accused
Two recent reports on sexual harassment complaints filed against Cal State employees conclude inconsistent data collection makes it difficult to determine a reliable number.
New Biden Rules Put Asylum Seekers at California Border at Heightened Risk
The Biden administrationâs app rule makes it harder for migrants to assert a right to asylum, advocates say. Lawsuits are sparking debate about immigration control, safety.
Civil Grand Jury Questions Fire Department Leadership
The 2022-23 San Benito County Civil Grand Jury has raised issues with the Hollister Fire Department regarding leadership, staff shortages and equipment maintenance.
From Santa Cruz Sentinel...
Why California Is Having Its Best Wildfire Season in 25 years
Huge winter rains and snow are continuing to reduce fire risk, experts say.
From The Sacramento Bee...
Goat Herders Prevent California Wildfires. Most Havenât Seen Their Families in Years
Luis Yauri Oyola hopes one day to buy a tractor to start a business in Peru; he estimates that he is six years away from that goal, for which he will have spent more than a decade of his life living thousands of miles away from his family. He is on call 24/7 and doesnât leave the job site except for necessities.
Drones, Satellites and AI: How California Fights its Unpredictable Wildfires With Big Data
As nights warm and droughts intensify, past models predicting fire behavior have become unreliable. So California is working with analysts and tapping into new technology to figure out how to attack wildfires. Gleaned from military satellites, drones and infrared mapping, the information is spat out in real time and triaged by a fire behavior analyst.
Hollister Police and Fire Departments Busy Over July 4th Holiday
Hollister police and members of the Hollister Fire Department issued 48 illegal fireworks-related citations and responded to 23 fires between June 30 and July 4.
Hate Crimes are on the Rise in California. The State Hopes a Hotline Will Help
The number of reported hate crimes increased 22 percent in California in 2021. Following a model from Los Angeles County, state leaders launched a statewide hotline and resources.
Californiaâs Firefighter Union Poised to Get Guaranteed Raises, Forever
After several years of devastating wildfires, California lawmakers want to give hefty raises to Cal Fire firefighters. The deal could tie the governorâs hands in contracts.
First-of-Its-Kind Fund Provides Support to Reduce Wildfire Risks
The State of California will provide new protections for prescribed fire and cultural burning practitioners. The $20 million allocated for the Prescribed Fire Liability Claims Fund Pilot will cover losses in the rare instance that a prescribed or cultural burn escapes control.
Four Things California Can Do as Home Insurers Pull Back From the State
After Californiaâs largest home insurance provider said it wouldnât issue new policies, consumer and insurance industry groups have ideas for what theyâd like to see California do. Hereâs how the debate over four of those ideas shakes out.
California Defendants are More Likely to Go Free When They Meet Lawyers Early
Californians accused of crimes spend an average of five days waiting to see a lawyer. Shortening that time can help them keep their jobs, and spend less time in jail.
From Tahoe Daily Tribune...
Judge Allows Use of Fire Retardant While Permit Pends
The U.S. District Court for the District of Montana ruled the U.S. Forest Service can continue to use aerial fire retardant to fight wildfires while waiting on a Clean Water Act permit.
The New Payday Loans? California Moves to Regulate Cash Advance Apps
In May, a video featured a young woman named Brooklyn imploring viewers to tell the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation about the importance of EarnIn, part of a relatively new app-based industry that provides cash advances to people based on their wages.
From East Bay Times...
FBI, EPA Investigating Hazardous Chemical Release from Martinez Refinery
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice started assisting the Environmental Protection Agencyâs investigation this week.
California Bill Could Help Improve Firefightersâ Mental Health
After unanimously clearing the Senate, a bill expanding first responders' access to workersâ comp for PTSD moves to the Assembly.
False Lockdown Announcement Stirs Panic at Hollister High School
âThis is not a drillâ were the words Hollister High School students heard over the schoolâs loudspeaker on May 18. Those words sent a wave of fear in the Hollister High community. Afterwards, the school explained it was caused by a glitch in the automated bell schedule.
From Los Angeles Times...
Aerial Fire Retardant Drops Attacked as Ineffective, Harmful
For most Californians, the sight of aircraft spewing neon pink liquid over flaming trees and brush has become a hallmark of aggressive wildfire suppression campaigns. But some forest advocates say the substance does more harm than good. A federal lawsuit could reshape how the U.S. Forest Service battles wildfires throughout the western United States.
From Monterey Herald...
New Bill Would Limit Sprawl in Disaster-Prone Areas
Sprawl has allowed Californians to live closer to nature and buy homes where it is cheaper to build. But it has also left millions vulnerable to wildfires and flooding.
Releasing Metallic Balloons May Cause Power Outages
More metallic balloons are sold for Valentineâs Day than any other holiday; not surprisingly, itâs also around this time of year that PG&E sees an uptick in outages.
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