Newsom: California economy ‘fully reopening’ June 15
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday announced that the state is “setting our eyes on fully reopening by June 15—with commonsense measures like masking.”
Newsom made the announcement via Twitter, and reiterated the state’s plan to eventually forgo the current four-tiered, color-coded reopening system during...
Aptos basketball programs quarantine due to Covid-19 test results
APTOS—The Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League high school basketball season got underway last week. But the Aptos High boys and girls programs will have to wait a tad bit longer to get going after recent positive Covid-19 test results.
Aptos High Athletic Director Travis Fox...
Watsonville farm, biotech company receives major grant from USDA
Since 2009, Blume Industries (BI) and Whiskey Hill Farms (WHF) have jointly operated a research and development incubator in Watsonville, aiming to find regenerative solutions for food, fuel and waste management.
And now they will have the opportunity to expand their reach, sharing what they...
New seasonal farmers market opens at Ramsay Park
WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley is a thriving agricultural hub, surrounded by farms and fields growing food for people all over the world.
But according to the Community Health Trust (CHT) of Pajaro Valley, certain areas of the region are still considered “food deserts,” where people have...
County’s younger residents avoiding vaccine
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County health officials’ prediction that residents would be frustrated over not being able to find a Covid-19 vaccine after the state expanded its eligibility to most Californians earlier this month has not come true.
Instead, the demand for the inoculation has...
Watsonville downtown plan lists 5 sites as potential catalysts
WATSONVILLE—Planners have identified five sites throughout downtown Watsonville that, if renovated, they believe could become potential economic catalysts for the historic but currently sleepy business corridor.
Those plans include the razing of the Old City Hall building and current Watsonville Police Department headquarters between Main...
County seeking property owners to help with homelessness crisis
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County officials are asking landlords to help alleviate the housing crisis by offering space to people who need permanent housing.
County spokesman Jason Hoppin says that a new program, called Rehousing Wave, seeks to help more than 800 people who have...
‘A lifetime commitment’: Father, son leaders in fire, police departments
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Fire Chief Rudy Lopez still remembers the day he and his son, Watsonville Police Sgt. Rudy Lopez Jr., responded to an emergency call together—a vehicle collision at Main Street and Green Valley Road.
“My emotions overcame me,” Lopez Sr. said. “I was very touched.”
After...
El Pájaro CDC’s Regional Women’s Business Center officially opens
WATSONVILLE—More than 100 people convened on Zoom on June 18 for the grand opening of a new center dedicated to women in business.
The El Pájaro Community Development Corporation (El Pájaro CDC) has launched a Regional Women’s Business Center (RWBC) in Watsonville, with plans to...
Additional funding, new chief mark new era at North County Fire
NORTH MONTEREY COUNTY—The North Monterey County Fire Protection District is ushering in a new era.
A month after announcing it will promote longtime employee Joel Mendoza to Fire Chief, the North County Fire Board of Directors celebrated the approval of a benefit assessment that will...
Proposition 50 starts strong, with 64% of the statewide vote
This story has been updated with new results and with a statement from the Santa Cruz County Republican party chair.
Statewide voting results Wednesday morning...
