State announces new pesticide rule
The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) on Dec. 19 announced a new rule that will provide notice to the public in advance of applications of certain hazardous and drift-prone agricultural pesticides.
The move was broadly welcomed in the farmworker communities of the San Joaquin Valley...
PVUSD high schools see record-high graduation rates
Late in 2022, when officials from Pajaro Valley Unified School District took a look at its high school seniors, they noticed a disturbing trend: many were not meeting their graduation requirements and were at risk of not receiving their diplomas.
And so Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez...
PVUSD rejects ethnic studies curriculum for anti-semitism allegations
A group that studies and archives the history of local Filipino people—and provides educational materials of that history—on Wednesday suspended its work with Pajaro Valley Unified School District, alleging that the Board of Trustees erred when they rejected a contract renewal for an ethnic...
Community invited to National Night Out
The public is invited to National Night Out, a series of gatherings held in communities throughout Santa Cruz County on Aug. 5 from 3-7pm.
National Night Out Against Crime is a chance for people to meet the police officers, firefighters and first-responders who help them...
County distributes more than $600k in CARES Act grants
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Public Health Division announced Thursday that it has awarded $619,900 in health equity grants to 20 organizations to help address disparities among populations impacted by Covid-19.
The funds come from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES)...
Santa Cruz Sheriff: Another officer arrested for sex with inmate
By JAKE PIERCE, Santa Cruz Good Times News Editor
SANTA CRUZ—For the second month in a row, a Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office jail official has been arrested for improper sexual relations and other charges.
Detectives arrested 35-year-old Correctional Officer Jenna Baldwin on Oct. 4 at...
Cal Fire CZU chief announces retirement
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Ian Larkin, who has headed up Cal Fire’s San Mateo Santa Cruz Unit since May 2016, has announced his retirement, capping off a career that spanned three decades.
Born and raised in Watsonville, Larkin now lives in Scotts Valley with his wife and...
PVUSD trustees extend school resource officer program
WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on May 11 unanimously voted to continue a program at two high schools in which law enforcement officers are paired with mental health clinicians, and to bring the program to a third school.
The School Resource...
Man who reportedly shot at family on Highway 1 arrested
A Hayward man has been arrested for taking multiple shots at a vehicle on Highway 1 in May, injuring a 3-year-old child and the male driver.
Raphael Abduh-Salam, 33, is in custody in Contra Costa Jail. He will soon be transferred to Santa Cruz County...
Sheriff’s deputies to crack down on prohibited gatherings
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The shelter-in-place order imposed on March 31 by Santa Cruz County Health Officer Gail Newel allows activities such as walking, hiking, bicycling and running. Anyone participating in those activities must comply with social distancing requirements, and large gatherings are prohibited.
Health officials say...
PVUSD trustees cut school employee, teacher positions
After the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees late Thursday night made sweeping cuts to 78 classified positions, newly appointed Board President...
