County’s ‘Equity’ measures show Watsonville’s struggles to quell Covid-19
WATSONVILLE—Current positivity rates in Santa Cruz County’s low-income and disadvantaged communities are among the worst in the state and Bay Area region, according to data reported by the California Department of Public Health.
The county’s so-called “Health Equity Quartile Positivity Rate” was 22.7% on Wednesday...
Second stimulus bill to support arts and culture venues
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—On March 10, 2020, the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz held a live performance, complete with a large audience, full band, and an open kitchen and bar.
What staff, musicians and patrons didn’t know at the time was that the concert would...
Man expected to survive shooting on busy Soquel Drive
A man was shot Wednesday afternoon on Soquel Drive near Winkle Avenue at about 4:15pm at the Emerald Bay Apartments.
PVWMA to bolster water conservation efforts
WATSONVILLE—In December, the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PVWMA) Board of Directors approved a $1.2 million water conservation program aimed at further bolstering the efforts already in place by farmers.
PVWMA is partnering with the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County (RCD) and the...
Community responds to recent uptick in violence
WATSONVILLE—Two people were shot and killed in a span of just more than 48 hours in Watsonville, raising concerns about an uptick of violence in Santa Cruz County’s southernmost city.
Watsonville police are investigating the shooting deaths of 19-year-old Fancisco Mora and 30-year-old Octavio Varela...
Hansen downtown apartment complex moves forward
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Planning Commission at its first meeting of the year Monday recommended the City Council move forward with a mixed-use apartment complex in downtown.
If approved, the proposed four-story, 50-unit apartment building at 558 Main St. would be nestled into the historic corridor near...
Newsom proposes plan to get kids back to class in February
SACRAMENTO—California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Dec. 30 released a plan under which schools could reopen as early as February.
The plan, which streamlines the process of applying for a waiver to bring students back for in-person instruction, is bolstered by a $2 billion package of...
Cow closure spurs high-speed chase up Hwy 1
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—A man was arrested on suspicion of driving a stolen truck and trying to evade police after he charged past their blockade on Highway 1 Monday.
California Highway Patrol officer Sam Courtney said the incident began when the CHP had to shut down...
Heavy surf capsizes junior sailing class at Santa Cruz Harbor
SANTA CRUZ—Five young people were rescued from giant surf Sunday after their sailboats were knocked over during a High Surf Advisory at the mouth of the Santa Cruz Harbor.
The incident started when two groups of six small sailboats from the Santa Cruz Yacht Club’s...
Watsonville Brillante extends open call for local artists
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Brillante, the ongoing community mosaic project spearheaded by Community Arts Empowerment (CAE), has extended its deadline for art submissions to Feb. 10. Organizers are looking for local artists’ work to be featured on the six-story parking garage on Rodriguez Street, which is attached...
PV’s De La Torre, MVC’s Fullalove-Silveira take home top honors |...
Pajaro Valley sophomore Hemeria De La Torre and Monte Vista Christian graduate Kayla Fullalove-Silveira each received some of the highest honors in the Pacific...
