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...
Santa Cruz, Monterey counties will lift mask mandates on Feb. 16
In alignment with the state, 11 Bay Area counties, including Monterey and Santa Cruz, and the City of Berkeley will lift universal mask requirements for most indoor public settings on Feb. 16.
Unvaccinated individuals over the age of 2 will continue to be required to...
Farmer survey aims for complete picture of climate change’s impact on agriculture
WATSONVILLE—Two years ago Regeneracíon-Pajaro Valley Climate Action gathered data on the impact climate change has had on agricultural workers and the Pajaro Valley community at large.
Now, the nonprofit is trying to form a more complete representation of the agriculture-rich region.
Regeneracíon is asking farmers in...
Former Cabrillo administrator pleads guilty to embezzlement
A man who was fired last year from his administrative job at Cabrillo College after his previous employer–also a community college–accused him of embezzlement has pled guilty to one of the charges and will avoid jail time.
Paul De La Cerda, 49, was charged with...
Local teaching artist moves into new studio in downtown Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—Judy Gittelsohn has big plans for the downtown Watsonville arts scene.
For the past two months, Gittelsohn has been slowly but surely moving her artwork, supplies and more into her new studio at 430 Main St. Large paintings line the walls of the small yet...
Candidates set for Watsonville City Council special election
WATSONVILLE—Two relative newcomers to Watsonville politics will face off for the vacant District 2 seat in a special election slated for Dec. 7.
Francisco “Frank” Barba and Vanessa Quiroz-Carter turned in the paperwork required to run for office just before the deadline on Monday evening....
Mt. Madonna Stables offers trail rides through park
As people continue to follow federal, state and local shelter-in-place regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic, many have started looking for safe recreation in the great outdoors.
In early June, Gov. Gavin Newsom released updated guidelines that allowed certain outdoor recreational facilities to reopen. This included...
Watsonville Police investigating shooting
Watsonville Police are looking for a suspect who allegedly shot a man and left him with life-threatening injuries on Monday, Watsonville Police Sgt. Jarrod Pisturino said.
Dónde obtener una prueba de Covid-19 en Watsonville
Los funcionarios de salud han dicho que las pruebas son un factor esencial en la batalla contra el nuevo coronavirus, y con el aumento del número de casos en comunidades cercanas y lejanas, obtener una prueba es fundamental para comprender dónde está el virus...
A call to end homelessness
Nearly 300 people marched the streets of downtown Santa Cruz May 18 to help end homelessness.
The second-annual gathering, organized by Housing Matters, reigned in a coalition of local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and public supporters in the March to End Homelessness.
The event began outside Santa...
Aptos duo awarded top honors for stellar play on the pitch...
Aptos High seniors Ivan Zavala and Daniel Lozano each were recognized as two of the top players in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League...




















