What made headlines in 2010?

top stories graphic

By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com

Much has happened in the city of San Benito since Dec. 30, 2009, when the San Benito News annual Top Ten Stories of the year was last published.

The city has witnessed some critical events transpire and help make 2010 a memorable year for San Benito. What follows are the top five stories of 2010, followed by a list of honorable mentions to round out the 10 articles that headlined the year.

5. Assistant Chief Controversy

In June, Arnold Garcia who then served as Assistant Police Chief for the San Benito Police Department (SBPD) allegedly failed to complete a random drug test which resulted in a three-day suspension. The allegations stemmed from allegations that Garcia walked out during a drug test and refused to cooperate. A letter of no confidence in Garcia, as well as Police Chief George Gomez, was also signed by a number of police officers at the time of the investigation after he allegedly failed to complete the drug test, citing preferential treatment on the part of the chief as well. At the time that Garcia was being investigated about the incident, he received at demotion to captain after a separate incident in which he and his brother – Lieutenant Tony Garcia – allegedly transported beer from a convenience store to a city facility using an unmarked unit. Matters heightened when a civil service grievance hearing was held Dec. 8 in which Garcia and his attorney, Roberto Garcia, fought to overturn the three-day suspension, a punishment they believed to be unfair. The briefs are said to be postmarked for Jan. 21, 2011.

For more on this story, pick up a copy of the Dec. 29 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2010/12/29/what-made-headlines-in-2010/

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.