National Agriculture Day scholarship, contest winners announced
WATSONVILLE—For years the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau (SCCFB) and the Agri-Culture organization have hosted the National Agriculture Day Spring Luncheon. However, due to the current COVID- 19 pandemic, the March 18 event was postponed, and its future remains uncertain.
Despite this, the two groups...
County: face coverings required when shopping
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Starting this week, Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel will begin requiring customers and staff at essential businesses such as grocery stores to wear face coverings to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The order will follow requirements in place throughout...
Soquel man returns home after three-week quarantine
SOQUEL—Allen Stobaugh and his wife Mary were at the tail end of a 15-day cruise to the Hawaiian Islands—and were on their way for a final stop in Ensenada, Mexico—when their trip was waylaid by the novel coronavirus.
Twenty-one passengers tested positive for the coronavirus,...
Watsonville Police arrest suspected arsonist
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Police on April 16 arrested a homeless man for allegedly setting two fires.
Elio Ortega, 41, was charged with arson. He was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail, jail records showed.
Ortega was arrested after officers responded to a report...
Local animal shelters adapt to COVID-19 changes
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—In the first few weeks of the countywide shelter-in-place order, the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter (SCCAS) saw an unprecedented amount of adoptions.
About 126 dogs, cats and rabbits were adopted, including many animals who had been at the shelter for months.
“People said...
Aptos New Leaf closes for one day after worker tests positive for COVID-19
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—New Leaf Community Market closed its new Aptos location on Saturday for a one-day deep cleaning after an employee there tested positive for COVID-19.
Store officials said that the closure was voluntary.
“While healthy authorities have not required us to close the store, we...
Three arrested for Soquel burglary
SOQUEL—Santa Cruz Sheriff’s deputies on Saturday arrested three people after they allegedly burglarized a house in Soquel.
Elizabeth Chandler, Colby Jackson and Henry Hansen were charged with burglary, vandalism and resisting arrest. Only Jackson remained in custody Monday in lieu of $25,000 bail.
According to the...
Salmon fishing season delayed
CENTRAL COAST—Precautions around the coronavirus outbreak have forced officials to restack this year’s salmon season and close launch ramps in area harbors.
California’s recreational ocean salmon fishing season will be delayed statewide through the end of the month, despite plans made earlier this year for...
Thousands attend No Kings rallies
Thousands of people crowded into Watsonville Plaza and surrounding streets Saturday as part of the nationwide No Kings protest against President Trump, his administration...
