Rivas re-elected as Assembly Speaker
Robert Rivas, who represents 29th California district, was re-elected this week as Speaker of the California State Assembly.
Rivas, of Hollister, now begins his second year as Assembly Speaker following a unanimous vote by his Democratic colleagues on Dec. 2.
“I am filled with great pride...
Former sheriff’s captain convicted of bribery in gun permit scandal
A Superior Court jury on July 17 found former Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Capt. James Jensen guilty of felony bribery and conspiracy charges in connection with a gun permit bribery scandal.
The same jury acquitted co-defendant Harpaul Nahal, a Santa Clara attorney, of both charges...
County and its largest union reach tentative agreement three-year contract
Santa Clara County government’s largest union, Service Employees International Union Local 521, representing more than 12,000 workers, announced July 28 it had reached a tentative agreement on a labor contract providing an effective 13% in wage increases over three years.
The announcement came more than...
Robert Rivas sworn in as California Assembly speaker
It’s a day that seemed like it might not ever happen: Robert Rivas was sworn in Friday morning as speaker of the California Assembly.
The ascension of the Hollister Democrat—who represents the 29th Assembly District—to lead the lower chamber of the Legislature brings to a...
Christopher High girls basketball looks to pick up where it left off last season: playing with cohesion and winning
Last season, the Christopher High girls basketball team played its best down the stretch, winning its final four league games in impressive fashion and its Central Coast Section playoff opener before losing to a very tough Hillsdale team in the Division II quarterfinals.
Having returned...
Santa Clara County submits Covid-19 vaccine plan as hospitals near capacity
Santa Clara County officials announced Dec. 2 that they have submitted a Covid-19 vaccine distribution plan to the state, as the first batch of the vaccine is expected to be available in the coming weeks.
According to national news reports, an advisory committee will meet...
Food lines grow as feds suspend food assistance
Food pantries across South County are experiencing unprecedented demand following the suspension of SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown, with lines wrapping around blocks and new families seeking assistance at rates not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Reach Out Food Pantry in...
SCC Exec: ‘Vigorous’ statewide quarantine preferred over mere warnings
While the vaccine brought a glimmer of hope to a dark season, California’s coronavirus surge continues its record-shattering onslaught, with more than 45,000 new cases and 260 deaths in just the past day.
Rivas leads effort to combat growing retail theft problem
Nearly four months after forming a bipartisan select committee and two hearings later, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas announced legislation Feb. 15 to combat shoplifting and organized retail theft—just beating a legislative deadline to introduce new bills.
The Hollister Democrat joined Democratic Assemblymembers Rick Zbur of...
Valley Water board approves 9.1 percent rate increase
Water rates in Santa Clara County are increasing as the county faces looming threats of drought.
On May 12, the Santa Clara Valley Water District board of directors unanimously approved a 9.1 percent rate increase for the 2022 fiscal year.
Starting July 1, 2021 until June...
