COVID-19

Surprised that federal health officials would this quickly recommend fully-vaccinated people can ditch their masks, Santa Cruz County health officials at a Thursday press conference said unvaccinated county residents will have to eventually walk a “tightrope” when deciding when it is safe to leave...

After the Loma Prieta Earthquake hit Watsonville in October of 1989, a group of people from St. Patrick’s Church established an emergency feeding program, aiming to support those affected by the disaster. Now, 30 years later, Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes (PVLF) is once again...

WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley Unified School District is asking residents to help honor the district’s 1,179 graduates by turning on their outdoor lights and decorating their yards between May 25-29. The “Lights On Grads” and Yard/Door Decoration Event is a way to give graduating seniors a...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County health officials identified 37 new Covid-19 cases—the county’s largest single-day jump since the virus started its spread—on Monday, increasing the number of new cases over the last eight days to 142. There are 216 active cases in the county, and...

WATSONVILLE—The application process for the City of Watsonville’s small business emergency grants opened today. With help from El Pajaro Community Development Corporation, the city will offer roughly 50 grants of up to $2,000 to small businesses located within city limits with $2 million or less...

WATSONVILLE—The city of Watsonville has canceled most of its annual events slated for this year because of the ongoing pandemic, Mayor Jimmy Dutra said Friday evening. The events canceled include the Spirit of Watsonville Fourth of July Parade, The Fire in the Sky Firework show...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) lifted its mandatory face mask mandate for vaccinated staff and riders effective Tuesday.  The move came a day after the Transportation Security Administration advised public transport operators that they no longer need to enforce the federal...

By Eduardo Porter, of The New York Times What should the president do about jobs? For 30 years, Democratic administrations have approached the question by focusing on the overall economy and trusting that a vibrant labor market would follow. But there is a growing feeling...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Teachers throughout Santa Cruz County are getting their Covid-19 vaccines, a daunting task that is moving the needle a tiny bit closer for a plan to return students to the classroom. But with unpredictable vaccine supplies, thousands of educators and school employees still...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel on Friday recommended that everyone cover their mouth and nose with cloth when leaving their homes to protect themselves from coronavirus. The guidance, which comes from the California Department of Public Health, is in addition...