THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF SAN BENITO COUNTY
MARCH 1, 2019
A supplement to the Hollister Free Lance
San Juan Bakery and Grocer draws a crowd
SAN BENITO MAGAZINE INSIDE THIS ISSUE
ENCHANTED BAKED GOODS San Juan’s small-town bakery P2
SALE OF SAINT LOUISE P4 | PANETTA HELPS WHIP P8 | OFFICERS THREATENED P8 SPRING PASSPORT P10 | BLACK ROCK FALLS P13
HOLLISTER • SAN BENITO COUNTY
A New SV Media publication
Friday, March 1, 2019
sanbenito.com • Vol. 147, No. 9 • $1
State warns city on growth plans HOLLISTER SENT BACK TO DRAWING BOARD ON HOUSING Jaqueline McCool Reporter
➝ City Growth, 2
Robert Eliason
Hollister residents demanded a plan for the city’s growth in November 2018 when they went to the ballot box, electing self-described “smart growth” candidates. Mayor Ignacio Velazquez won his re-election after promising a plan for growth, but state officials have put the brakes on a proposed “growth management” ordinance for the city. In a Feb. 1 letter, the Housing and Community Development Department’s Division of Housing Policy Development sent a letter to the city saying it was in danger of being out of compliance with state housing laws. The state warned that while the city was currently adhering to housing element compliance, offering enough different types of housing to residents, the proposed ordinance could change Hollister’s status. In his Feb. 12 State of the State address, Gov. Gavin Newsom made a point of calling out cities that did
HIGH AND DRY Serenity Skye and Jonathan Cruz climb in the sun at in Valley View Park.
Reach for the sky Robert Eliason
Sunny days drew families to Hollister parks last week, enjoying the dry weather , even if only for a few days. At a climbing apparatus in Valley View Park, 6-year-old Serenity Skye and 7-yearold Jonathan Cruz scaled new heights of fun. The rain was to return with a vengeance as February drew to a close, with March promising to come in like a lion with another bout of rainfall. With creeks flowing freely and Sierra snowpacks piling up, the prospects are good for a drought-free year ahead. February was an unseasonably wet month, and March is likely to take up where the shortest month left off.
LOOKING AT YOU City parks offer adventures for
Serenity Skye and Jonathan Cruz.
Gavilan launches Measure X website COLLEGE IS SEEKING APPLICANTS FOR CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE Staff report
Gavilan launched dedicated approved
College has a new website to the voter$248 million
Measure X, according to a recent announcement. The new website can be found at GavilanMeasureX.org. The website provides access to essential information on all things Measure X, including project updates, financial reports, program documents and more. As the bond program moves ahead, the new website will be regularly
updated to keep the community, students, staff and faculty up to date. Measure X is the third successful bond measure over the 100-year history of Gavilan College. Measure X funds are expected to go toward upgrades, including: • Repair or replace leaky roofs, old rusty plumbing, and faulty electrical systems where needed;
• Upgrade and add classrooms, labs and career training facilities for science, math, engineering and technology; • Upgrade and add classrooms and labs to help local students complete the first two years of college affordably, and transfer to the Cal-State or UC systems; • Expand the Veterans’ Center to provide job
training, job placement, counseling and support services to military veterans and their families; • Improve access for students with disabilities; • Improve student safety and campus security systems including security lighting, security cameras, emergency communications systems, ➝ Gavilan, 2