Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel issued a new order closing parks and beaches throughout Santa Cruz County beginning today through April 15th, 2020, a period that includes Easter weekend and much of Passover. The order is necessary to reduce the public health and safety threat from COVID-19, due to crowding in recreational spaces throughout Santa Cruz County, Newel said. Any violation of the order is a misdemeanor punishable by citation or arrest, with fines of $1,000 possible.
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Bernie Sanders ended his presidential bid Wednesday. In a home-videoed recording, the Vermont senator spoke of an unprecedented crisis of the pandemic and the economic crisis, inequality of income and lack of heath care for millions. He added that he will continue to work tirelessly while describing President Trump as “unwilling and unable to provide any credible leadership.” Sanders described Vice President Biden as “a very decent man” who he will back. The move leaves Biden as the presumed democratic nominee.
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On a cruise through Watsonville Tuesday I saw that Freedom Meat Lockers is open and maintaining regular hours. Owner Howard Walker said that his family-owned place is still offering their full line of product and service, including their meat and deli counters. The shop is open, with 6-foot distancing lines striped on the floor to help customers line up safely. But manager Will Panis said customers can also call in orders (724-4355) and then call when they arrive so a worker can come out and place their packages in their cars. Walker said business has been brisk, but that some of his suppliers are showing signs of backing off on supplies due to coronavirus issues.
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I also stopped by Smith & Vandiver Corp. on Airport Blvd. to get a photo of their production line in operation. They were bottling and packaging alcohol-based hand cleanser. President Jeff Slaboden said he switched his product line from natural body, bath and skincare products to hand cleansers to help his community deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Crews from County Public Works have placed large, water-filled traffic barriers in every other parking spot at several parking lots at Moran Breach and The Hook in Live Oak.
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Renewable energy sources are set this year to account for close to 21 percent of all electricity produced in the United States for the first time. That number is up from 18 percent a decade ago. Wind turbines and solar farms are producing cheaper energy than gas and coal. The recent drop in energy use in recent weeks, due to businesses closing or reducing hours, has also given renewable energy sources a boost because traditional energy sources and turning toward renewables since they are much cheaper to run.
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Officials at the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor have temporarily suspended late charges or interest for boat slip renters and landslide tenants through June 30. The move, made by the Santa Cruz Port Commission, is aimed at halting evictions and slip and space revocations.
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Cases of COVID-19 are expected to peak in May in California. The California Department of Public Health announced Wednesday that California has 15,865 confirmed cases and 374 deaths. As of April 6, local health departments reported 269 confirmed positive cases in health care workers. As of April 6, approximately 157,800 tests had been conducted in California. At least 143,172 results have been received and another 14,600 are pending, CDPH said.
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In Santa Cruz County there are 76 reported cases and one death
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Quote of the day: “I don’t think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains.” —Anne Frank
