County to file complaints against PG&E for unpermitted timber harvesting, environmental damage
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously agreed to file a complaint with the California Public Utilities Commission against Pacific Gas and Electric Company for what officials say is unpermitted timber harvesting and other activity in the wake of...
Power outage hits 63,000 county residents, quickly restored
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Approximately 63,000 people in Santa Cruz County lost power for about 30 minutes Tuesday afternoon due to a “transmission-level outage,” which refers to the system of high-tension wires that transmit power across the state, PG&E spokeswoman Karly Hernandez said.
It was not immediately...
Covid relief bill stalls as Trump demands more
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congress on Monday approved a $900 billion, 5,000-page federal package that could be a boon to California, which like all other states is struggling under the weight of an economy wracked by the Covid-19 pandemic.
If signed by President Donald Trump, it will provides...
Donors large and small support Second Harvest this holiday season
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Second Harvest Food Bank has been facing an unprecedented amount of need throughout the county since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out in March. They have more than doubled their weekly donations, averaging about 1.2 million pounds per month in distribution.
The Holiday Food...
Santa Cruz Gives campaign still accepting donations
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz Gives, an annual holiday fundraising campaign organized by Good Times (GT) and the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County (VSCC), is accepting donations through midnight Dec. 31.
Choose from 40 local nonprofit organizations to donate to at santacruzgives.org. Each nonprofit has...
New year, new laws: A look at legislation that begins in 2021
Every January, the new year brings with it dozens of new laws that impact day-to-day life in many different ways. Here we bring you a few we find notable, from criminal justice reform to animal welfare to workplace rules.
From inmate to firefighter
During the massive...
Local emergency extended, Koenig sworn in to Board of Supervisors
SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution to extend the emergency declarations that came in the wake of the CZU August Lightning Complex fires.
The County first proclaimed a local emergency related to the fires on Aug. 19...
Propane storage plant on City Council’s 1st meeting of 2021
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council at its first meeting of year will weigh whether to approve a proposed 170,000 gallon propane storage facility at 950 West Beach St., a project that has been much debated since it was first introduced in July of 2020.
If approved,...
Meeting set to reconsider Rodriguez’ termination
In what is expected to be another contentious chapter in a saga that has rocked the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, the Board of Trustees will meet Sunday at 3pm with a three-item agenda that includes reinstating ousted Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez.
Watsonville sees three shootings in 48-hour period
WATSONVILLE—Three shootings in Watsonville inside of 48 hours have left law enforcement investigators with their hands full.
Watsonville Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said the first shooting happened early Saturday morning on the Pajaro River levee at the end of Walker Street. That shooting left...
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,...
