Santa Cruz Gives nonprofits double in seventh year
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz Gives is back, and the annual countywide crowdfunding holiday campaign is bigger than ever.
Following a year that saw skyrocketing donations, Santa Cruz Gives has doubled the number of nonprofits it will raise funds for from 40 to 80.
The online campaign,...
Suspect arrested on molestation charges in Pajaro
PAJARO—A 69-year-old man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of molesting at least two girls.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office arrested Crescenciano Figueroa, Jr., of Pajaro, on charges of child molestation. Figueroa, known by many in the community as “Chano,” was taken into custody on Fremont...
Group envisions ag without harmful pesticides
PAJARO VALLEY—About 50 people gathered Sunday in Watsonville’s community room to explore ways to phase out toxic farming chemicals and convert Pajaro Valley farmlands to organic and regenerative farming.
The group of speakers included farmers, farmworkers, doctors, retired teachers, experts in environmental health and justice...
Watsonville appoints new city attorney
WATSONVILLE—The city of Watsonville will see a major shift in leadership in 2022.
The election of a new city councilmember is ongoing, and four more seats will be open next year. Current City Manager Matt Huffaker will soon be moving to the city of Santa...
Ag Commissioner releases annual Crop Report
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The 2020 Crop Report for the County of Santa Cruz has been released, detailing the region’s agricultural commodities during one of the most challenging years on record.
The Crop Report is presented each year by Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo through the Department of...
Toys for Tots hits 33 years in Pajaro Valley
WATSONVILLE—For the past 33 years, the Toys for Tots program has delivered tons of toys to children in the Pajaro Valley and around the nation, for Christmas. This year is no exception, despite a host of limitations from the ongoing pandemic.
On Nov. 12, the...
Poetry event highlighting writers of color stopped after ‘Zoombombing’
WATSONVILLE—A virtual event created to highlight writers of color was canceled on Nov. 11 after a group of anonymous attackers logged on to their Zoom meeting, and then shouted racial and homophobic slurs and broadcast pornographic images.
Such an attack is known as a Zoombombing,...
Covid-19 outbreak reported at Santa Cruz Main Jail
SANTA CRUZ—Several inmates at Santa Cruz County Main Jail tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday in what jail officials say is the most significant outbreak since the start of the pandemic.
According to Sheriff’s Sgt. Daniel Robbins, about 12 inmates have tested positive are under quarantine...
Aptos High & Junior High choirs to present concert
APTOS—For the first time in two years, the Aptos High School and Aptos Junior High School choirs will perform in front of a live audience for their annual winter concert this Saturday.
“Rise Up Singing!” will present a variety of songs, which choral director and...
City Council again meeting to discuss interim city manager position
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council has scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday morning to discuss the appointment of an interim city manager that will take the reigns from outgoing chief executive Matt Huffaker.
It will be the third time the City Council has met in closed...
A show of support for the immigrant community
A multitude of elected officials, workers and law enforcement officials from Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey counties gathered at the Government Center in...
