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san benito SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE THIS ISSUE
HOLLISTER • SAN BENITO COUNTY
A New SV Media publication
Friday, June 22, 2018
sanbenito.com • Vol. 145, No. 25 • $1
On-campus building continues at SBHS SCHOOL BOND MEASURES FINANCE MORE UPGRADES Staff report
Robert Eliason
San Benito High School has entered a new phase of summertime construction activity that includes the completion of some facilities projects and the start of others. On June 11, three days after the Class of 2018 commencement ceremony, a number of summer projects got underway, including the new state-of-the-art science and robotics building, the new stadium project, aquatics complex, varsity softball field, ADA compliance changes and a special education classroom conversion on the main campus. The 177,000-squarefoot multi-use field on the southwest side of campus is nearly complete, according to district staff. In addition to providing a safe, playable surface year-round for physical education classes, it will be used by Baler soccer, baseball, softball, field hockey, lacrosse and football teams. The district is following its board-approved facilities master plan for the ongoing renovation of the campus, which has already included the 2016 completion of a new physical education weight room and
COLOR GUARD Horses, of course, carry the flags at the front of Hollister’s annual Saddle Horse Parade.
Saddle up, pardner Debra Eskinazi
Magazine and Features Editor
➝ Construction, 12
Robert Eliason
CROWD PLEASER Lena Colson, Miss California
Rodeo, waves to crowd at Hollister parade.
Visitors and residents lined the streets of downtown Hollister Saturday, June 16, for the San Benito County Saddle Horse Parade. The event, in its 85th year, kicked off the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo, which will run June 22-24 at Bolado Park and Event Center in Tres Pinos. In addition to class eliminations, cattle sorting and roping, a number of family-friendly events are scheduled during the rodeo weekend, including a Western Art and Tack Show, the Mariachi Alma De Mexico Band, a taco bar, and wine and beer tasting. Hungry ranchers can get their fill at the Cowboy BBQ dinner catered by Mansmith’s. More photos, Page 11. For a complete schedule and more information, visit sanbenitocountyrodeo.com.
County grand jury spots funding problems HOLLISTER CITY PARKS, COUNTY JAIL, JUVENILE HALL ALL NEED MORE MONEY By Barry Holtzclaw Managing Editor
Hollister city parks and the County Jail and Juvenile Hall all suffer from a lack of adequate funding,
a county grand jury has concluded. The San Benito County Civil Grand Jury, after conducting its own investigations, released its 2017-18 report on June 13. “A major problem facing [Hollister] Parks and Recreation Departments is funding,” the grand jury report observed, adding that the agency “must find other potential funding mechanisms
to supplement the 4 percent they receive from the general budget.” The civil grand jury, which comprises 19 local residents selected to meet over 12 months to investigate matters in local government, is completely separate from a criminal grand jury that considers criminal cases. It reports to the county Superior Court annually. Hollister should follow
recommendations for potential funding in its own parks master plan, the jury said, including seeking grants for recreation programs. The report determined that the 17 city parks are well maintained, and well utilized by the public, with adequate equipment, but lack adequate trees and shrubs. The city can do a better job of communicating to the
public about its activities, board meetings and volunteer opportunities, the report said. In addition, the grand jury found that recreation classes should be more inclusive by providing classes to developmentally and/or physically disabled residents. “There seem to be no classes for youth or adults ➝ Grand Jury, 4