From BenitoLink:
With two properties as options for another high school campus, San Benito High School District has seemingly chosen to abandon one of those options by submitting a preliminary application for a 1,000-unit residential project at the Best Road site.
Article In A Nutshell:
The San Benito High School District submitted a preliminary application for a 1,000-unit workforce housing and commercial project on its Best Road property, signaling a shift away from using the site for a new high school campus while still keeping other sites, such as Wright Road, under consideration. The proposed development includes a mix of apartments and townhomes prioritized for district and public service employees, along with retail space, childcare facilities, and community amenities, and was filed under the state’s Builder’s Remedy due to the county’s lack of a certified Housing Element. District leaders say the project is part of a broader workforce housing strategy to aid recruitment and retention, as the district continues planning for a second high school to relieve overcrowding at Hollister High School.
From BenitoLink:
Adding to an existing service, the San Benito County Local Transportation Authority was awarded $172,900 from the state to expand its intercounty services with Santa Clara County.
Article In A Nutshell:
The San Benito County Local Transportation Authority received $172,900 in state funding to expand intercounty bus service between Hollister and Gilroy, adding two weekday roundtrips to Gavilan College and the Caltrain station. The grant, part of a statewide Low Carbon Transit Operation Program investment, will help sustain existing service levels and support access to jobs, education, healthcare, and regional connections while advancing climate goals. The funding complements a recently approved five-year, $12.9 million contract with Transdev Services to operate local and intercounty transit routes.
From BenitoLink:
The San Juan Bautista City Council on Jan. 20 approved the city’s Housing Element, elected a new mayor and mayor pro tem and, after debating three options for re-striping Third Street, decided to maintain it as a one-lane/one-way street.
Article In A Nutshell:
The San Juan Bautista City Council approved the city’s long-overdue 6th Cycle Housing Element, a move that will bring the city back into compliance with state housing laws and avoid steep fines and loss of local development control. The council also re-elected Leslie Jordan as mayor and E.J. Sabathia as mayor pro tem, formalized a majority-vote process for selecting those roles, and voted unanimously to keep Third Street one-way with angled parking as an interim solution while a broader master plan is developed. Additional actions included approving street closures for upcoming festivals, ordering a new fire engine, and honoring longtime community leader Georgana Gularte for her decades of service.
From BenitoLink:
A month into winter, San Benito County residents have already experienced nights with gusts of wind up to 46 mph and temperatures in the low 30s, according to the National Weather Service. For those living on the streets, it means they either try to find room at the homeless shelter or they are on their own, because there are no other local alternatives for temporary housing during severe weather.
Article In A Nutshell:
As winter brings freezing temperatures and strong winds, San Benito County’s unhoused residents have limited options beyond the county’s 56-bed homeless shelter, which often nears capacity and has scarce funding for hotel vouchers. County officials say there is no legal requirement to provide additional severe-weather services and that limited resources prevent matching programs in neighboring counties, though the shelter has expanded to 24/7 operations and plans to add 12 beds. The county is pursuing new grants, expanding shelter and housing capacity, and continuing outreach and cleanup efforts to reduce homelessness despite ongoing budget constraints.
From BenitoLink:
With San Benito County expected to receive nearly $20 million in federal grants for road improvements, the Board of Supervisors celebrated the news at its Jan. 13 meeting, forming a committee of all five supervisors to oversee the projects, and agreeing to hire a grant-funded consultant to help manage planning, design, construction and environmental reviews.
Article In A Nutshell:
San Benito County is set to receive nearly $20 million in federal funding for road safety and disaster-related infrastructure improvements, prompting the Board of Supervisors to form an oversight committee and hire a consultant to manage the projects. More than $7.6 million will fund safety upgrades on high-risk roads identified in the county’s Local Road Safety Plan, while another $11.4 million—unlocked after approval of the county’s Housing Element—will support disaster recovery, mitigation, and resilience projects following 2023 storms. Supervisors emphasized prioritizing repaving and critical repairs as they prepare to finalize a project list and consider pursuing additional grant funds
From BenitoLink:
About 200 Hollister High Students protested against U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) on Jan. 16 on campus, joining similar events nationwide.
Article In A Nutshell:
About 200 Hollister High School students protested ICE on Jan. 16, gathering at Baler Plaza before marching through the city, with freshman Sarabi Grace Muñoz organizing the event to oppose fear and family separations caused by immigration enforcement. School administrators allowed the peaceful protest but clarified it was not school-sponsored and that students who missed class would receive unexcused absences, while ensuring campus safety. Participants expressed varied perspectives, and the school emphasized respect for student rights, safety, and civic engagement within its diverse community.
From BenitoLink:
January marks a year since Gavilan College began providing classes at its new Hollister campus, with student enrollment and the number of classes being offered increasing during that time period.
Article In A Nutshell:
Gavilan College is marking one year at its new Hollister campus with an open house on Jan. 15, celebrating steady growth in enrollment and class offerings since opening in January 2025. According to college officials, more than 1,200 unduplicated students have enrolled at the campus, with enrollment rising each semester and the number of classes increasing to 51 for the spring term starting Jan. 26. College leaders say the campus has been well received by students and the community, offering a dedicated college environment for San Benito County residents. The first phase of the campus was funded by a voter-approved 2018 bond, addressing long-standing concerns about local access to higher education facilities.
From BenitoLink:
Five local essential needs nonprofits raised a record $236,900 during their annual 12 Days of Giving campaign in December.
The campaign includes almost $65,000 of matching funds raised by each nonprofit and at the United for San Benito gala on Dec. 6. The monies are shared equally among the agencies.
Article In A Nutshell:
Five local essential-needs nonprofits raised a record $236,900 during the annual 12 Days of Giving campaign in December, including nearly $65,000 in matching funds from the nonprofits and the United for San Benito gala, with funds shared equally. The organizations—CASA, Community FoodBank, Emmaus House, Sun Street Centers and the YMCA—provide services ranging from child advocacy and emergency shelter to food assistance and addiction recovery. Leaders said the funds are especially critical this year due to the loss of federal funding and increased community needs during the holidays. Since 2011, the campaign has raised nearly $2 million for local nonprofits, with Graniterock recognized for its major support of this year’s gala.
From BenitoLink:
Supervisor Dom Zanger was unanimously elected by the San Benito County Board of Supervisors as its new chair during the first meeting of the year on Jan. 13. He will preside over board meetings in 2026, rule on procedural matters, and appoint committees to study key issues.
Article In A Nutshell:
The San Benito County Board of Supervisors unanimously elected Dom Zanger as chair and Ignacio Velazquez as vice chair at its Jan. 13 meeting. Zanger retained most committee assignments, dissolved the intergovernmental committee, expanded the Audit Committee to all five supervisors, and restructured several ad hoc committees, including elevating the roads committee and dissolving the San Justo Reservoir and fire services ad hocs. The board created new ad hoc committees for a library expansion and a Transient Occupancy Tax Incentive Program, and adopted “Home of Pinnacles National Park” as the county’s new motto. Supervisors also approved lowering campaign contribution limits effective April 19 and changed the county’s top administrative position to County Executive Officer, with Esperanza Colio Warren continuing in the role with expanded authority.
From BenitoLink:
Formerly the planner for San Benito County, Arielle Goodspeed became the city planner for San Juan Bautista in November 2025. It was not her first time working with the city officials. She helped shepherd an agreement between the city and the county just months earlier that gave San Juan more say in planning decisions outside its city limits.
Article In A Nutshell:
Arielle Goodspeed, formerly a San Benito County planner, became San Juan Bautista’s city planner in November 2025 after helping secure an agreement that gave the city more influence over nearby planning decisions. With a background in environmental policy and urban planning, she brings experience in CEQA, housing, zoning, and long-range planning, and aims to reduce reliance on consultants while emphasizing accessible, one-on-one service with the community. Goodspeed is focused on advancing key planning projects, aligning development with infrastructure capacity, and helping carry out the city’s vision, which she calls a “fortunate gift” to be part of.