New dashboard details school-based Covid-19 testing results
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Office of Education (COE) has launched a dashboard that summarizes Covid-19 testing results across schools countywide.
The dashboard is a partnership with school districts, Inspire Diagnostics and the Santa Cruz County Department of Public Health, COE spokesman Nick Ibarra...
PVUSD delays decision on school opening plan
WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday unanimously voted to delay a decision on how to resume classes in August, to give district officials time to investigate all of their options.
Still undetermined is which risk level the district will use...
Bus operators push back on METRO’s rider increases
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz METRO has increased its passenger capacity by 50% in an effort to accommodate more riders, but that decision has raised concerns within the union representing the bus operators still working during the Covid-19 pandemic.
METRO CEO Alex Clifford announced on June...
Cuts looming for Cabrillo as summer enrollment numbers climb
APTOS—A month before summer classes begin on June 15, Cabrillo College is seeing a significant increase in enrollment for that semester, even as college officials gird themselves for a recession and for budget cuts caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition, Cabrillo announced Friday that...
Smaller classes, fewer days lead district’s plans for fall semester
WATSONVILLE—Many students unable to return to class when school starts on Aug. 14 due to Covid-19 restrictions will attend a virtual academy, an all-online option created by Pajaro Valley Unified School District as it plans for the coming academic year.
The PVUSD Board of Trustees...
Santa Cruz County jail system still free of Covid-19
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office has released 93 people from its jail system since March 20, when county Health Officer Gail Newel imposed a series of restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Of the 93 that were released,...
Gov. Newsom to close beaches, parks statewide Friday
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday is expected to announce the closure of all beaches and state parks starting Friday, multiple national news agencies reported late Wednesday night.
The news comes days after Gov. Newsom expressed concern over numerous photos of people crowding beaches throughout the...
With parade nixed, Aptos celebrates Fourth of July from afar
Since 1961, the World’s Shortest Parade has packed Soquel Drive in Aptos with floats, decorated cars, bands and other community displays of patriotism in celebration of Independence Day.
That will not be the case this year.
With the novel coronavirus still spreading and stay-at-home orders in...
Santa Cruz County fair canceled
WATSONVILLE—Every year on the outskirts of Watsonville, late summer brings the intoxicating aroma of fried food, along with the sweet summer cacophony of carnival rides, livestock and giant, jubilant crowds.
But those voices will fall silent this year at the Santa Cruz County Fair, after...
Santa Cruz METRO steps up disinfecting routines to keep rolling
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Deep cleaning is now routine at Santa Cruz METRO to not only keep their fleet on the road, but to assure riders that busses are squeaky clean.
Every day since early March, before the first person in Santa Cruz County was diagnosed with...
