TARMO HANNULA
I saw another large temporary chalk art drawing in front of the Main Branch of the Watsonville Public Library last week. The point of the artwork is to draw attention to the ongoing 2020 Census. Several such art installations have been created around the county.
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A pair of massive explosions rocked Beirut, Lebanon on Tuesday evening, killing more than 100 people and injuring thousands. Officials said that as many as 90% of the hotels in the port city were damaged, some crumbling like sand castles. Flying glass and bricks caused most of the injuries.
While President Trump said “It was a bomb,” officials in Beirut said a fire in a fireworks factory triggered the first blast. That was followed by a gigantic explosion that sent a mushroom cloud into the sky, toppled buildings and tumbled vehicles upside down. Some people said they heard and felt the blasts up to 180 miles away.
Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that around 2,750 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate had been stored in a depot for years at the heart of the incident and that it was somehow triggered and then exploded.
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The Apple Fire in Riverside County continues to garner a huge response from firefighters around the state as it burns into its fifth day north of Cherry Valley. Cal Fire officials said evacuation orders have been lifted but warnings remain. The fire, which has now burned through 27,319 acres, is 30 percent contained.
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JOHANNA MILLER
Local food justice organization Food, What?! announced this week that it has raised $80,000 for its Youth Resilience Fund. With the help of various county-wide supporters and a partnership with the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County, the organization is helping 80 of its families who are experiencing significant financial need with a donation of $1,000 each. For information and how to donate visit foodwhat.org.
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The Watsonville Public Library is continuing a series of remote learning classes to improve literacy. Basic Reading is held on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9-11am. For information and to sign up call 768-3410 or email es*****************@ci***************.org.
