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Watsonville
March 28, 2024

City faces financial uncertainty as COVID-19 wrecks economy

City of Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—The City of Watsonville has asked all departments to trim their budgets by 10 percent to prepare for the economic slump over the next three years as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Finance Department Director Cindy Czerwin at Tuesday’s City Council meeting predicted Watsonville...

County aims to reopen parks, beaches Thursday

County beaches
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel told county leaders Tuesday that she plans to open the parks and beaches that were closed April 8 as part of several sweeping measures meant to slow the spread of coronavirus. Newel also said that...

All Watsonville events canceled through end of the year

WATSONVILLE—All major City of Watsonville events have been canceled through the end of the year, City Manager Matt Huffaker said at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. That includes the annual Spirit of Watsonville Fourth of July Parade, the Watsonville Strawberry Festival and the Wine, Beer and...

Gov. Newsom lays out plan to loosen stay-at-home order

Newsom covid-19
SACRAMENTO—Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday said he will revisit the statewide stay-at-home order in two weeks if the curve of COVID-19 cases in California is not only “flattening” but “declining.” That does not mean the order will be completely lifted, Newsom said, but certain aspects...

Santa Cruz County announces second COVID-19 death

Watsonville coronavirus
Santa Cruz County health officials on Tuesday morning announced the second death of a county resident who tested positive for COVID-19. The man in his late 60s died early Tuesday. He was hospitalized on April 9 with symptoms including fever, cough and fatigue. He had an...

Pajaro’s Casa de la Cultura producing face masks for community

PAJARO—Joining a worldwide effort to stave off the spread of COVID-19, Sister Rosa Dolores and a team of six volunteers have started a production line of masks at Casa de la Cultura in Pajaro. The group has made more than 100 masks and is working...

METRO announces more changes, regulations

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Starting today the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is enacting sweeping changes to further comply with the March 16 shelter-in-place order.  Since mass transit is an essential service, METRO will provide fixed-route and para-transit service as long as possible during the COVID-19...

Outdoor markets adjust to new rules

WATSONVILLE—Farmers markets around the county continue to operate through the COVID-19 crisis since they are deemed essential businesses.  Though some of the markets have pared down their offerings, eliminating things such as flowers, nursery goods, some prepared foods and entertainment, the outdoor venues still play...

Watsonville company switches gears amid COVID-19 outbreak

Smith & Vandiver covid-19
WATSONVILLE—For 40 years, Watsonville’s Smith & Vandiver (S&V) has been manufacturing natural bath, body and skincare products at its FDA-certified facility on Airport Boulevard. But since the outbreak of COVID-19 last month, the company has switched gears—focusing on the production of alcohol-based hand cleansers. “We don’t...

Cabrillo College instructor making a difference

APTOS—As businesses and services remain closed during the shelter-in-place order – and as Personal Protective Equipment becomes harder to find – a Cabrillo College instructor is staying on the job to make more. Art Studio Instructor Payson McNett, who runs the college’s Digital Fabrication department...
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PVUSD trustees approve new superintendent contract

The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday unanimously approved a three-year contract for its new superintendent. Heather Contreras’ contract shows her...