Michael Moore

Managing Editor at Hollister Free Lance

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Articles

San Benito County cleans up homeless riverbed encampments

4 weeks ago | sanbenito.com | Michael Moore

Local authorities this week began cleaning up homeless encampments in the San Benito River bed in an ongoing effort to remove hazardous materials and direct unhoused people to services and more stable shelter. San Benito County is leading the effort in partnership with the City of Hollister, nonprofit organizations and local contractors, according to county staff.
Board of supes ends talks with Hollister for new fire contract

1 month ago | sanbenito.com | Michael Moore

The San Benito County Board of Supervisors formally suspended negotiations with the City of Hollister for the renewal of a contract for fire services. The 3-2 vote at the board’s April 22 meeting followed the Hollister City Council’s rejection the previous evening of the terms of a counter offer submitted by the county and the City of San Juan Bautista. Supervisors Mindy Sotelo and Angela Curro voted against the motion to suspend negotiations.
DA will not file charges in Morgan Hill Nazi flag incident

1 month ago | sanbenito.com | Michael Moore

Authorities said this week they will not file charges against a person who hung a flag depicting a Nazi swastika on the Burnett Avenue overpass in Morgan Hill. Santa Clara County Supervising Deputy District Attorney Michel Amaral said the DA’s office has concluded an investigation into the March 21 incident and will not charge the person who displayed the flag over Highway 101 with a crime.
Hollister City Council rejects latest counter offer for fire services contract

1 month ago | sanbenito.com | Michael Moore

Negotiations will continue on a new fire services contract agreement among the City of Hollister, San Benito County and San Juan Bautista, after Hollister’s city council this week rejected the latest offer from the other two jurisdictions.
Man charged with hate crime for alleged assault against South Valley Islamic Community members

1 month ago | sanbenito.com | Michael Moore

A Morgan Hill man has been charged with a hate crime in relation to a March 7 incident where the suspect targeted South County residents who were leaving a Muslim prayer service, according to authorities.
San Benito County to look into options for new fire services provider

2 months ago | sanbenito.com | Michael Moore

San Benito County is preparing to “take a step back,” in the words of Supervisor Dom Zanger, from its longstanding partnership with the City of Hollister for fire services. The board of supervisors scheduled a special meeting on March 26 to discuss recent developments in the county’s, Hollister’s and the City of San Juan Bautista’s efforts to keep their existing contractual arrangement intact.
Hollister City Council rescinds 2024 General Plan

2 months ago | sanbenito.com | Michael Moore

The Hollister City Council earlier this month unanimously voted to rescind the city’s 2040 General Plan, which was the subject of a referendum petition that was signed by more than 3,500 local voters. A group of Hollister voters and activists submitted 3,562 signatures on Jan. 21 for a referendum petition that sought to reverse a December 2024 council decision to expand the city’s sphere of influence for potential development.
Proposed food bank cuts threaten Hollister bakery

Mar 6, 2025 | sanbenito.com | Michael Moore

Frankie Berlanga’s family business, El Nopal Panaderia and Tortilla Factory in Hollister, supplies about 14,000 fresh tortillas a year to the Community Food Bank of San Benito County—reliably providing a cultural staple for the kitchens and dinner tables of local families and residents in need. However, this partnership and other ongoing efforts to combat food insecurity are jeopardized by Gov.
Flower shops prepare for Valentine’s Day rush

Feb 13, 2025 | sanbenito.com | Michael Moore

Americans will spend billions of dollars on Valentine’s Day before the week is over, and local flower shops have spent months getting ready for the inevitable rush of last-minute orders expected by Feb. 14. Jerry Ayala, owner of the Flower Cottage in downtown Morgan Hill, said earlier this week that the vast majority of his Valentine’s Day sales every year take place in the day or two preceding the holiday. The Flower Cottage has been open on First Street in Morgan Hill for about 13 years.
Attorney General intervenes in Betabel lawsuit

Feb 5, 2025 | sanbenito.com | Michael Moore

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has intervened in a lawsuit challenging San Benito County’s approval of the Betabel Commercial Development on U.S. 101 south of Hollister, Bonta’s office announced this week. The lawsuit was initially filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and Protect San Benito County in 2022. Bonta attempted to intervene in the civil litigation in March 2023.