Boards, councils prep for return to in-person meetings
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—After more than a year of meetings held remotely under Covid-19 restrictions, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees plans to resume in-person meetings on June 9, the district confirmed.
“We recognize that public meetings are a vital part of representative...
Watsonville Brillante mosaic moves ahead
WATSONVILLE—The third phase of Watsonville Brillante, the massive mosaic project in downtown Watsonville, is taking shape.
Splashed across the exterior walls of the six-story Civic Plaza parking garage at Rodriguez and Second streets, the new phase will come in two halves five months apart. Last...
Formerly homeless grad part of historic Cabrillo College class
APTOS—Tomas Alejandrez was experiencing homeless and using drugs while living on the streets of Fresno when he was 39. Now 47, he is set to graduate from Cabrillo College today with three Associates degrees.
He is one of 1,240 that will participate in the college’s...
Improper use of public funds at center of lawsuit against city
WATSONVILLE—As the Watsonville City Council prepares to weigh increases to its utilities fees to fund several high-cost repairs to city of Watsonville facilities, a wrongful termination lawsuit from an ex-employee who claimed the city misappropriated public money from one of its utility funds looms.
In...
PVUSD trustees considering changes to bylaws
WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday considered several changes to board bylaws that regulate attendance at meetings, student trustees and allowing anonymous public comment during public meetings.
There was no action taken. The proposed changes will return to the board...
Art Hike Challenge encourages guests to visit county parks
A new series of murals has been installed at Pinto Lake County Park, with the goal of encouraging more visitors to the park and showcasing local art.
The murals are part of the Art Hike Challenge, organized by County Parks Friends (CPF). Guests can download...
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...
MVC’s Doyle named MVP in SCCAL’s ‘A’ Division | HS football
WATSONVILLE—Monte Vista Christian School football senior standout Brendan Doyle was everywhere his coaches needed him to be this season, both on and off the field. His hard work and dedication to the game didn’t go unrecognized as coaches within the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic...
2021 National Ag Day luncheon held at Fairgrounds
WATSONVILLE—Paddy Smith Park at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds was abuzz with activity Wednesday for the 2021 National Agriculture Day Luncheon.
Originally scheduled to coincide with National Ag Day on March 23, the event was postponed to allow Covid-19 restrictions to loosen and more attendees...
Grassroots car cruises showcase custom vehicles
SANTA CRUZ—Members of the Watsonville Riders teamed up with the Santa Cruz Car Club on May 15 to showcase their sparkling cars at Lighthouse Point as part of an ongoing “cruise night.”
The free event was designed to bring together car clubs from as far...
How Farmworkers Outlawed ‘El Cortito’ 50 Years Ago
For decades in the Salinas Valley, the short-handle hoe, known as “El Cortito,” was used for weeding and thinning rows of crops that kept...
