Union leaders say County employees ready to strike
SANTA CRUZ—More than 100 County of Santa Cruz workers filled the County Supervisors chambers during the board’s bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday, where many of them demanded pay increases and other requests to highlight ongoing contract negotiations between their union and the County.
The workers, members...
Aromas School honors veterans at annual assembly
For more than two decades, Aromas School has honored local veterans through song, dance and tokens of appreciation at its annual Veterans Day Assembly.
Owners of La Perla in Watsonville living their ‘American dream’
WATSONVILLE—It has been three decades since Gabino Torres and Anna Martinez opened a small Mexican seafood restaurant on Main Street, a business they launched as a way to pair their love of their native cuisine with a drive to support their family.
La Perla del...
Residents, businesses must now recycle food scraps under new law
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Recycling is an idea that has become deeply embedded in modern culture, so much so that many don’t think twice before placing cans, bottles and cardboard into the appropriate bins.
Beginning this year, a new law will let California residents do the same...
PV Arts opens annual fundraising exhibit
WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley Arts’ (PVA) gallery on Sudden Street came alive Wednesday as the organization’s 9th annual fundraising exhibit opened to the public.
“Take Aways: Art to Go!” features a variety of work by 73 artists, most of them locals from Watsonville and surrounding areas. Everything...
Watsonville Hospital announces new CEO
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Community Hospital has a new chief executive officer.
Steven Salyer, who has 14 years of leadership experience in hospitals throughout the U.S., started the position on July 6. The hospital announced the move on July 14.
Salyer previously served as chief operating officer at UP...
A timeline of the coronavirus in California
At midnight, it became official: California is open.
Of course, the coronavirus pandemic isn’t over, and life isn’t back to the way it was before most of us had heard of the mysterious, deadly illness we now call Covid-19.
But the lifting of nearly all of...
School districts brace for looming budget cuts
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Gov. Gavin Newsom on May 14 released an updated state budget that calls for a 10 percent cut to school districts across the state.
Pajaro Valley Unified School District Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez said that the district is looking at a $19.18 million slash.
Watsonville/Aptos/Santa...
Strike averted as County, employees reach agreement
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The union that represents some 1,600 County of Santa Cruz employees has averted a strike after hammering out a tentative agreement during all-day negotiations Monday.
The agreement between Service Employees International Union Local 521 and the County came just before demonstrations that were...
Community Bridges, Salud Para La Gente join forces in vaccination effort
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Community Bridges and Salud Para La Gente are joining forces in order to help individuals looking to get an appointment for the Covid-19 vaccine.
Through Community Bridges’ (CB) bilingual Bridges to Access Vaccine Helpline and Salud Para La Gente’s vaccination clinics, the agencies...
Watsonville City Council to mull plastic bag, oversize vehicle parking ordinances
The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday is set to consider two ordinances aimed at reducing plastic waste at retail checkouts and tightening rules on...
















