Community meets to discuss Minto Road battery plant
About 75 people gathered at Pinto Lake City Park on Oct. 10 to voice concerns and opposition to a proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Watsonville, a facility opponents say could be as large as 10 football fields.
Organizers described the proposed facility at...
PVUSD sees gains in college readiness, attendance
Pajaro Valley Unified School District students are showing improvement in several key academic areas, including college and career readiness, science and English language arts, according to the latest data from the California School Dashboard.
The district also saw a nearly 4% decrease in chronic absenteeism,...
Santa Cruz County building evacuated after suspicious substance found
The Santa Cruz County Governmental Center on Ocean Street in Santa Cruz was evacuated Friday morning—along with the adjacent Superior Courthouse—after a suspicious white substance was reportedly mailed to U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta’s office.
According to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and firefighters...
Alliance for Health releases H.R. 1 predictions
About one in three people who rely on Santa Cruz County Alliance Medi-Cal—25,000 people—will lose benefits by the end of 2028, said Central California Alliance for Health CEO Michael Schrader.
The Central California Alliance for Health is expecting to retain 44,700 of its 78,500 Medi-Cal...
PV Arts gears up for Day of the Dead
In keeping with a long tradition, organizers at PV Arts are setting up for their annual Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, exhibition.
“Caminos de Recuerdo” (Paths of Remembrance) invites artists, participants, and visitors to reflect on the journeys that connect everyone...
Watsonville hospital weighs service cuts amid financial crisis
With Watsonville Community Hospital facing a financial crisis that could force it to close within a year, officials are considering cutting services in an effort to keep its doors open.
The Pajaro Valley Health Care District will host a community town hall Oct. 22 to...
Watsonville unveils its General Plan 2050
Watsonville could look considerably different by 2050, with thousands of new homes, expanded shopping and entertainment opportunities, redesigned streets and new neighborhoods on the city’s outskirts.
Those possibilities are outlined in the city’s Draft General Plan 2050, unveiled Wednesday as Watsonville officials invited residents to...
County to hold hearing on El Niño preparations
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors will hold a hearing Oct. 20 to discuss the potential impacts of El Niño this winter and how local agencies are preparing for severe weather.
The presentation, scheduled for 10:45am, will include current El Niño forecasts, possible impacts...
Young artists needed for holiday lights display
Young artists in Santa Cruz County have a chance to see their artwork come to life in lights this holiday season.
The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation is inviting children ages 5-12 to enter its annual “Youth Art in Lights” contest, with the winning design...
Watsonville Hospital considers closing mother-baby services, as possible closure within one...
Watsonville Community Hospital is considering closing its maternity department, including labor and delivery and neonatal intensive care services, as costs continue to exceed revenue.
The...
