Barring agreement, County employees will strike on Jan. 25
SANTA CRUZ—Service Employees International Union Local 521, the union representing the majority of Santa Cruz County workers, has called for a strike after a majority of employees voted in favor of the action.
While saying that they are still willing to negotiate, union officials say...
Lofgren visits Salinas Valley, receives nod from Panetta, Rivas
SALINAS—As the decennial redistricting process wrapped up last month, the concern from The World’s Salad Bowl started to mount. Local politicians, regional business giants and other community leaders asked how a plan to pair the international agricultural hub with the Silicon Valley could stand.
Now,...
Watsonville police seek burglar caught on camera
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Police Department is asking for help identifying a man who was caught on camera breaking into a warehouse and stealing computer equipment.
According to WPD spokeswoman Michelle Pulido, the unidentified suspect was seen dragging a ladder to the front of a building on...
EcoFarm rescheduled as a virtual conference in March
CENTRAL COAST—Executive director of the Ecological Farming Association (EcoFarm) Andy Fisher had only been in the position for six months before the pandemic hit California.
Fortunately, Fisher and his team had been able to hold their 40th annual conference in Pacific Grove that January. But...
Unsanctioned pop-up Covid-19 test sites raise concerns
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County and California health officials are recommending that anyone needing a Covid-19 test get it from a sanctioned provider, after an unsanctioned company set up pop-up testing sites in Santa Cruz and Watsonville last week.
That company, Encinitas-based Community Wellness America...
County observes MLK Day
A large bronze sculpture of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stands in the quad of Cabrillo College in Aptos.
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday that marks the birthday (Jan. 15, 1929) of the Nobel Peace Prize winner and champion...
Local trainers offer fresh approach to health and fitness
It has been 13 years since Jaimi Jansen opened the first location of Santa Cruz Core, an integrated wellness center in downtown Santa Cruz.Â
At that time, Jansen was just 26 years old and planning to eventually go to medical school. But as the business...
Older adult programs shutter as Covid-19 cases rise
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—In early November 2021, Meals on Wheels’ (MOW) congregate meal sites reopened to older adults across Santa Cruz County for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
Staff and volunteers from MOW, a program of umbrella organization Community Bridges, combined their...
County health officials say cloth masks are ‘no longer preferred’ option
Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel said that residents should try to move away from using single-layered cloth face masks and instead seek out medical or surgical masks that have been more effective in slowing the spread of Covid-19.
This includes N95, KN95...
PHOTO: 2 crashes clog Hwy 1 in Watsonville
Watsonville firefighter John Stone (left) joins other emergency workers in dealing with a five-vehicle crash on northbound Highway 1 in Watsonville Jan. 14.
Watsonville Firefighter John Stone (left) joins other emergency workers in dealing with one of two crashes on northbound Highway 1 in...
Nomination Deadline Extended in Best Of Pajaro Valley
The deadline for nominations in The Pajaronian’s Best Of Pajaro Valley 2025 has been extended by two weeks.
What is the Best Day Trip? Which...
