School arts funding bill among seven propositions on Nov. 8 ballot
In 2008, as the economic recession was ravaging communities nationwide, school districts were forced to take a close look at their budgets, and in many cases make massive cuts to preserve the meat of their programs.
The first casualties of this across-the-board slashing were often...
Student’s photograph garners national attention
APTOS—An Aptos High School junior inspired by her father’s hard work in local agricultural fields has won this year’s 20th Congressional Art Competition, and will see her photograph hang in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
Michelle Lopez-Rubio, 17, says she was working with...
Beaches and parks temporarily close | About Town
Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel issued a new order closing parks and beaches throughout Santa Cruz County beginning today through April 15th, 2020, a period that includes Easter weekend and much of Passover. The order is necessary to reduce the public health...
Assemblymember Rivas urges Gov. Newsom for more farmworker relief
By Jazmine Juarez, Special to the Pajaronian
WATSONVILLE—Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) is calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to take urgent steps to protect farmworkers and the food supply chain in the wake of COVID-19.
Following reports of 41 agricultural workers being diagnosed with COVID-19 in...
Watsonville police looking for help finding 1-year-old
UPDATE: The 1-year-old has been returned to her mother.
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a 1-year-old child who was abruptly taken by her father after an argument with the child’s mother in Watsonville Sunday night.
WPD spokeswoman Michelle Pulido...
County accepting applications for second round of rental assistance
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The County of Santa Cruz and its community partners are accepting applications for the second round of CARES Rental Assistance Program funding.
The County has allocated a portion of its Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to provide housing assistance...
Washington bust under microscope as city asks for community input on monument
WATSONVILLE—The national debate over monuments of historic figures in public places has reached Watsonville.
A group of local activists has gathered more than 1,100 virtual signatures in support of removing the George Washington bust in the City Plaza. But not all Watsonville residents want the bust removed.
On...
Hwy 1 closed at La Fonda Avenue overpass for more than 90 minutes
SANTA CRUZ—Highway 1 in Santa Cruz, between Morrissey Boulevard and 41st Avenue, was closed for more than 90 minutes in both directions due to “police activity” on the La Fonda Avenue overcrossing, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office said.
Just before 3pm multiple callers told...
A community united: cleanup day draws hundreds
Hundreds of people gathered Saturday morning on beaches, in neighborhoods and along riverways to participate in the second-annual Pitch In All Santa Cruz Cleanup...
