Hollister Free Lance

07/07/2025

Fireworks sales support youth sports, community programs

Local sports teams and nonprofit organizations are raising money by selling “safe and sane” fireworks for the Independence Day holiday in Hollister.  Temporary stands can be seen in shopping center parking lots and other high traffic areas throughout the city. The fireworks for sale at the stan...

07/07/2025

Around Town: The community has lost a legend

Bruce John Bannister, a local pastor who had a major impact on hundreds of lives, died June 9, at the age of 73 surrounded by family after a lengthy battle with cancer, his wife Dori told us.Bruce was born in San Jose on May 27, 1952, to John and Ruth Bannister. At eight-years-old, Bruce went […]

04/07/2025

A taste of local bounty. This week's Hollister Free Lance cover features "Cherry picking" as Fairhaven Orchards has been growing fruit for more than 75 years.

Also, read about Hollister preparing for a biker rally. Pick up your copy for these sweet stories and more.

30/06/2025

It’s rodeo time

More than 50 community entries—including a herd of cattle, marching bands, floats, horsemen and horsewomen (some in the Vaquero tradition), 2025 Miss San Benito Rodeo, wagons and many community groups—marched through downtown Hollister June 21 to kick off this year’s San Benito County Rodeo. T...

30/06/2025

Flag football, fastest growing prep sport, begins to reveal updated rules

Girls flag football began in many areas of California in Fall 2023. In the two years of competition, Hollister’s teams have excelled.  The fall 2024 squad won the Pacific Coast Athletic League, Gabilan Division title with a 13-1 record and was 19-6 overall. Although several senior stars graduated...

30/06/2025

Guest view: AB 1454 shows how to improve child literacy, efficiently and effectively

Every teacher in California wants their students to be able to read. But too often, we’re not given the tools to provide effective reading instruction.  While serving as an English language arts/English language development teacher on Special Assignment for Gilroy Unified School District, our Las...

27/06/2025

Our cover highlights "It's rodeo time" in Tres Pinos, showcasing dancing horses. Also, learn about county leaders showing support for the immigrant community. Read for these important updates and more!

20/06/2025

This week's Hollister Free Lance features a fascinating look at Paicines Ranch, where "Counting on sheep" helps nurture nature's bounty in San Benito County.

Also, read about a Hollister family displaced by a devastating fire. Pick up your copy for these stories and more.

17/06/2025

Local Scene: Art exhibit, USGA qualifying in San Juan Bautista

SJB art exhibit celebrates iconic Route 66 A new art exhibit, “Painting Route 66: An Artist Road Trip,” will open in San Juan Bautista with a June 21 reception from 5-7pm. The exhibit will remain open to the public through Aug. 10. The exhibit and reception are located at Luna Gallery and Eco Ar...

17/06/2025

Letter: ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ could have severe consequences for local healthcare

As the U.S. Senate debates the sweeping legislation known as the “Big Beautiful Bill,” it’s worth asking a critical question: who really pays the price for political ambition? For rural communities like ours in San Benito County, the answer may hit closer to home than most realize. Regardless ...

17/06/2025

Hundreds protest on ‘No Kings Day’ in Hollister

Millions of people in cities and towns throughout the nation joined the “No Kings” protest on June 14—a crowd that included several hundred protesters in southeast Hollister.  The event was organized in 2,000 cities in the U.S. to protest President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, and a...

13/06/2025

Alma Gay Rush Bernal

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sanbenito/name/alma-bernal-obituary?id=58630758