County health officials say cloth masks are ‘no longer preferred’ option
Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel said that residents should try to move away from using single-layered cloth face masks and instead seek out medical or surgical masks that have been more effective in slowing the spread of Covid-19.
This includes N95, KN95...
EcoFarm rescheduled as a virtual conference in March
CENTRAL COAST—Executive director of the Ecological Farming Association (EcoFarm) Andy Fisher had only been in the position for six months before the pandemic hit California.
Fortunately, Fisher and his team had been able to hold their 40th annual conference in Pacific Grove that January. But...
Judy Doering Nielsen, a former Mayor and prolific volunteer, dies
WATSONVILLE—Judy Doering Nielsen’s love for the Watsonville community led her to become thoroughly entrenched in its inner workings, from its history to its politics to its people.
She served as Watsonville Mayor and President of the Pajaro Valley Historical Association (PVHA), in addition to a...
County merges Public Works, Planning
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a plan to integrate the Planning and Public Works departments, a move officials say will streamline services and improve customer service.
Officials will immediately begin creating the new department, called Community Development...
Watsonville chips in $130K to health district’s push for hospital purchase
WATSONVILLE—In a vote that was largely ceremonial, the Watsonville City Council unanimously approved giving $130,000 to the newly-formed Pajaro Valley Healthcare District to help the nonprofit purchase Watsonville Community Hospital’s operations.
The contribution from the cash-strapped municipality pales in comparison with those of other jurisdictions...
PVUSD examines budget, redraws trustee areas
WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday got a first look at its financial picture since Gov. Gavin Newsom released his proposed budget in January, which provides a record $100 billion for schools and community colleges.
The board also revised the...
Advocates question whether pilot pesticide alert program will provide transparency
Santa Cruz is one of four counties in the state to try out pesticide notification pilot projects. For a certain class of pesticides known as California Restricted Materials, growers must submit notices of intent to the county agricultural commissioner’s office 24 hours before application.
The...
Dientes celebrates 18th annual Give Kids A Smile Day
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Feb. 12 marked a day of free smiles for 48 low-income children in Santa Cruz County thanks to Dientes’ celebration of Give Kids A Smile Day.
This annual day of free care, which has grown to serve more than 300,000 children each year...
Cabrillo plans to begin in-person classes Tuesday
APTOS—Cabrillo College’s students will return to in-person instruction, about one month after beginning the spring semester with a distance learning model.
Cabrillo President and Superintendent Matt Wetstein said the decision comes as the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 declines and as the Omicron...
Dolores Huerta headlines upcoming Latino Role Models conference
SANTA CRUZ—The 12th Annual Latino Role Models conference will return on March 12 in a virtual format, with prominent community organizer and activist Dolores Huerta serving as this year’s keynote speaker.
Local nonprofit Senderos, which aims to inspire students to achieve their education and career...
‘Catz football claws their way back to beat MVC | Weeklys...
Watsonville sophomore Noel Navarro had three rushing touchdowns, and the Wildcatz defeated Monte Vista Christian, 42-41, in Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division-North football...
