Health officials urge Covid-19 precautions
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Health officers from 12 counties on Friday doubled down on their recommendations that everyone exercise Covid-19 safety precautions, including wearing a mask indoors and staying up to date on vaccinations.
The announcement comes as cases of highly contagious Omicron sub-variants and hospitalizations continue...
Report: Covid-19 had bigger impact on Black, Latinx communities
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Covid-19 pandemic has had a disparate impact on communities nationwide, with Latinx and Black communities experiencing greater impacts than white ones.
That is according to a report heard Tuesday by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.
The report, presented by Health Services...
Big winds on the way; Red Flag warning set for Sunday
Cooler temperatures continue to run the show, both along the coast and inland. Brayden Murdock, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service of Monterey, said it will be, “quite a bit windier in the next few days and drier as well.” He added that...
Santa Cruz County Covid-19 cases see largest single-day jump to date
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County on Monday saw its largest single-day jump (20) in Covid-19 cases since the virus started its spread along the Central Coast in early March.
The case spike increases the county’s active cases to 100, and raises its total case count...
Return to recycling produces long lines in Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—A huge line of vehicles is almost constant now in front of A&S Metals on West Beach Street.
It’s one of few spots the public can cash in its recyclables, which, for some, have been piling up around the house since the novel coronavirus shuts...
Charter schools reap millions from public payroll program
WATSONVILLE—Two Watsonville area charter schools received funds through the federal Payroll Protection Program (PPP), the $660 billion initiative created to use taxpayer dollars to help keep small business and nonprofit organizations afloat.
Watsonville Prep School, which received more than $1.7 million, and Ceiba College Preparatory...
Johnson & Johnson pause not expected to slow county’s vaccine efforts
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Though the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be delayed for an undetermined amount of time, the pause of the single-dose inoculation is not expected to significantly slow the county’s vaccination efforts.
That’s according to Santa Cruz County spokesman Jason Hoppin,...
New Leaf shutters Aptos branch after COVID-19 cluster emerges
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—New Leaf Community Market has closed its Aptos location after seven employees tested positive for COVID-19.
The company made the announcement on its website on Tuesday, saying the store will stay closed “until further notice.”
The announcement came four days after the store closed...
Bay Area health officers support state’s ruling on masks
The June 15 reopening date set by California Gov. Gavin Newsom will now mark another pandemic milestone: the day many Californians can go without masks in most settings.
California’s Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly on Monday told reporters the state will continue...
Pier 1 to close all stores
CAPITOLA—Pier 1 Imports announced Tuesday that it will close all 540 of its stores nationwide, sell its inventory and liquidate its assets.
The sales will begin at the Capitola store as soon as the Santa Cruz County Health Department allows it to open.
The company’s website...
Santa Cruz Wharf to remain closed after damage
Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf will remain closed indefinitely after waves on Monday sheared off a 125-foot section that was already closed and under construction...
