Santa Cruz METRO gets additional Covid-19 funding
The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) will receive an additional $13.5 million of emergency funding through the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act.
Approved by Congress in December of last year along with the $1.4 trillion spending bill, the CRRSA Act...
Agencies join forces for Pajaro levee project
WATSONVILLE—In a mostly empty Jan. 19 meeting conducted over Zoom, the Watsonville City Council voted unanimously to join a collective of local government agencies to streamline the process of rebuilding and reenforcing the Pajaro River levee.
The union, called the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency...
Two housing projects head to Watsonville City Council
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council at its Feb. 23 meeting will see plans for two large housing developments that combined will bring 103 new apartments.
The Residence on Main Street and an affordable apartment complex on Freedom Boulevard from nonprofit developer Eden Housing will be on...
Elkhorn Slough restoration project receives $1.3M grant
By Erin Malsbury, Special to the Pajaronian
MOSS LANDING—The Ocean Protection Council (OPC) recently approved $1.3 million in funding for the final phase of the massive restoration project of the Elkhorn Slough wetlands, an effort that has been in the works since 2012.
Wetlands improve...
Santa Cruz County moves to red tier
Santa Cruz County is moving to the red tier of the state’s Covid-19 reopening plan starting Wednesday, as predicted last week.
That means several indoor business operations can reopen starting Wednesday, including indoor dining, aquariums, museums, dance studios, gyms and movie theaters, all of which have...
Central Coast sees another dry winter
CENTRAL COAST—Rain and hail gave the Central Coast a dash of badly needed precipitation over the past week—with a hint more rain set for this weekend—but officials are still warning of a critically dry year if rain clouds don’t rally before the start of...
Mariachis play on, their music unsilenced by the virus or the deaths
Facing the stone archway of St. Joseph’s Salesian Youth Retreat Center outside Los Angeles, the dark wooden coffin holding the body of Juan Jiménez was wheeled next to a band of masked mariachis. The group readied themselves to play, simultaneously lifting bows to violins,...
City receives large grant for pedestrian highway overpass to PV High
WATSONVILLE—One month after Pajaro Valley High School (PVHS) unveiled its long awaited sports complex, another massive project years in the making took a giant leap forward.
The California Transportation Commission on Wednesday approved an $11.7 million grant to help the city of Watsonville build a...
Regional Women’s Business Center launches in Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—California Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) has announced the launch of a new business center in Watsonville for women entrepreneurs.
El Pájaro Women’s Business Center (WBC) will be formed through El Pájaro Community Development Corporation (CDC), a local nonprofit organization aiming to promote equal access...
PV High opens new softball field
WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley High senior Elvia Rodriguez along with members of the Grizzlies’ softball team finally got a chance to test out their new field.
Last week, the team held a private ribbon cutting ceremony and gave a toast with a glass of Martineli’s Sparkling Cider...
Watsonville Police Department holds awards ceremony for outstanding employees
Dozens of law enforcement and emergency first responders gathered in the Watsonville City Council Chambers Wednesday for a promotional and award ceremony honoring Watsonville...
