Several county events, businesses close their doors | COVID-19 closures
The City of Watsonville on Thursday cancelled several local gatherings because of growing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. Those cancellations included its Friday farmers market and its annual Earth Day event, scheduled this year for April 26.
Watsonville City Manager Matt Huffaker said...
Officials tackle coronavirus concerns as 3 more cases announced
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Since COVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan, China in late December, healthcare professionals, elected leaders and everyday citizens around the world have been looking for answers and trying to unsnarl the constantly-changing situation.
There are now more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries,...
County increases mental health services with FIT program
SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a plan to expand the county’s Focused Intervention Team (FIT), which pairs law enforcement officials with behavioral health specialists and other supportive services to address high-frequency criminal offenders.
The program launched on Jan....
Coronavirus case found in PVUSD school
APTOS—Pajaro Valley Unified School District announced Wednesday it is closing Rio Del Mar Elementary School for two days after a person there tested positive for coronavirus.
District officials are not saying what the person’s relationship to the school is. They were last at the school...
Schools, organizations grapple with coronavirus response
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The World Health Organization on Wednesday classified COVID-19 as a pandemic, as lawmakers and leaders worldwide grapple with rapidly growing numbers of cases.
There are now more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries, and 4,291 people have died. Thousands more have been hospitalized,...
Santa Cruz County Supervisors declare local emergency
SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday declared a local emergency in response to the increasing numbers of coronavirus cases.
The board also ratified a Mar. 4 declaration by Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel of a local health emergency.
Health...
Sutter invests $1M into affordable housing project
SANTA CRUZ—Santa Cruz Community Health (SCCH) and Dientes Community Dental Care on March 6 announced a $1 million dollar investment from Sutter Health into the construction and operation of a mixed-use affordable housing project in Live Oak.
The project at 1500 Capitola Road includes a...
First coronavirus case confirmed in Santa Cruz County
SANTA CRUZ—Santa Cruz County Health officials on Saturday announced that the first case of coronavirus has been confirmed in the county.
Officials are not releasing any information about the patient, except to say he or she is “resting comfortably” at home and does not require...
Flea market vendors busted for illegal tobacco sales
SANTA CRUZ—Three vendors at the Santa Cruz flea market were cited for selling tobacco products to minors during a decoy operation on Sunday.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Alcohol and Tobacco Compliance Unit conducted the operation at the market, which is held in the...
Soquel man arrested after search uncovers a pound of meth, guns
SOQUEL—Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies on Thursday arrested a man after finding a massive amount of illegal drugs and firearms in his Soquel residence.
Eli Burry, 39, was charged with possession of narcotics for sale, possession of a controlled substance while armed and weapons violations....
