Santa Cruz County Supervisors declare local emergency
SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday declared a local emergency in response to the increasing numbers of coronavirus cases.
The board also ratified a Mar. 4 declaration by Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel of a local health emergency.
Health...
County increases mental health services with FIT program
SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a plan to expand the county’s Focused Intervention Team (FIT), which pairs law enforcement officials with behavioral health specialists and other supportive services to address high-frequency criminal offenders.
The program launched on Jan....
Gov. Newsom calls for bars, breweries to close; says older adults should stay home
WATSONVILLE—Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday afternoon said all bars, night clubs, wineries and breweries should close and that restaurants should move to takeout orders and reduce to half-capacity to halt the spread of the novel COVID-19 virus that has sickened thousands worldwide.
He also called...
Watsonville police seeking shooting suspect
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Police Department is looking for a suspect who reportedly fired several shots at a man on the 100 block of Jeanette Way on Sunday.
The victim was not injured in the shooting, which occurred approximately 3 p.m. WPD spokeswoman Michelle Pulido stated in...
Practicing social distancing
The Santa Cruz METRO bus system is maintaining regular schedules during the coronavirus crisis and they’ve bolstered their routine cleaning. They operate a fleet of 98 buses on 26 fixed routes.
“While we will try to provide as much service as possible, customers should...
Watsonville’s small businesses adjust to county’s shelter-in-place order
WATSONVILLE—Small business owners throughout the Pajaro Valley are feeling increasing financial pressure after Santa Cruz County officials on Monday ordered all “non-essential businesses” to close their doors to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The shelter-in-place order, which went into effect Tuesday and will last until...
Monterey County issues shelter in place order, confirms first COVID-19 cases
Monterey County followed the lead of neighboring Santa Cruz County and the greater Bay Area Tuesday, ordering residents to stay home to slow the spread of COVID-19.
County health officials also reported the county’s first two confirmed cases Tuesday, and County Supervisors unanimously approved a...
Law enforcement, courts grapple with COVID-19 closures
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The shelter-in-place order issued Monday by Santa Cruz County officials applies to most residents, requiring them to stay home except to engage in – or work for – services deemed essential.
Violation of the order is a misdemeanor that can bring fines or...
Santa Cruz County now has 13 COVID-19 cases
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency announced that there are now 13 confirmed cases of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus.
The announcement comes less than two weeks after Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel announced the county’s first case on March 7.
The increasing...
Spring starts up with light showers, sun
Spring began today and brief shower activity along with a dusting of snow in the mountains helped paint the picture. Tonight there is a 20 percent chance of showers before 8 p.m., the National Weather Service said. On Friday there is a 20 percent...
A “place of healing”—Tiny home village unveiled
With a small handful of finishing touches still left to complete on a tiny home village in Westview Presbyterian Church’s parking lot in Watsonville,...
