Homeless advocates ask Watsonville officials to address mounting issues
WATSONVILLE—About a dozen nonprofit leaders and community advocates asked the Watsonville City Council at its Tuesday meeting to address the city’s mounting homelessness issues that have been further compounded by a recent rainstorm.
Among the concerns brought forth to the elected leaders: an increase in...
Man named in fatal Watsonville crash
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office identified the motorcyclist that died July 1 in a crash on Bridge Street as German Melgoza Menchaca, 28, of Watsonville, Public Information Officer Ashley Keehn said. Shown here, an altar of flowers, candles, notes and photos has been...
Santa Cruz County health officer says mask order won’t change behavior
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Saying that she has not yet seen reliable data that a countywide masking mandate would alter personal behavior or lower Covid-19 cases, Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel said she does not plan to issue a new order any time...
Some businesses allowed to reopen as County moves to less restrictive tier
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County on Tuesday moved into a less restrictive tier of the state’s new Covid-19 reopening plan, allowing some businesses to reopen their indoor services with capacity limits and other modifications.
Personal care services such as waxing, nails and massage therapy, restaurants, places...
County remembers 58 homeless who died in 2019
SANTA CRUZ—For two decades, Santa Cruz County has held a ceremony to remember the homeless people who died during the year.
The annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day has long been a somber occasion, often marked by stories of the deceased people. Too often, it is...
Photo contest winners displayed at Watsonville Public Library
WATSONVILLE—Winners and runners-up of the inaugural Climate Action Photo Contest will be on display at the main branch of the Watsonville Public Library through the month of June.
Submissions for the contest, sponsored by the Santa Cruz Climate Action Network (SCCAN), were accepted until the...
Photo story: local butchers ready for holiday meat orders
Freedom Meat Lockers General Manager Sarah Lewis is joined by Jeff Bassmann with their award-winning hams as they brace for holiday orders. Lewis said their business is getting turkeys and other meat products at lower costs than previous years, “and we’re glad to pass...
Experts: be on the lookout for wildlife fleeing fires
WATSONVILLE—Tens of thousands of residents have already been displaced due to the CZU August Lightning Complex fires—and those are just the humans.
Wildlife experts are calling for people to be on the lookout for animals fleeing from the fires, which are currently 13% contained. As...
Man in mid-30s is Santa Cruz County’s 212th Covid-related death
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—A man in his mid-30s died of Covid-19-related complications on Sept. 14, Santa Cruz County Public Health announced Tuesday.
The man, County spokesperson Jason Hoppin said in a press release, was the 212th Covid-related death in the county. He was not vaccinated against...
Watsonville High celebrates homecoming
Hundreds of Watsonville High School students participated in the traditional homecoming parade Wednesday, which is a precursor to a Thursday rally and the Friday...
