Newsom issues statewide order as Santa Cruz County reports another COVID-19 case
CALIFORNIA—Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide “stay at home” order on Thursday evening, bringing California’s nearly 40 million residents in line with shelter-in-place orders recently issued by Santa Cruz and Monterey county officials.
The directive goes into effect this evening, Newsom said at a press...
Santa Cruz County now has 13 COVID-19 cases
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency announced that there are now 13 confirmed cases of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus.
The announcement comes less than two weeks after Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel announced the county’s first case on March 7.
The increasing...
What is and is not allowed in a shelter-in-place order
Jurisdictions throughout the U.S. have imposed shelter-in-place orders for their residents in an attempt to slow or stop the spread of coronavirus, casting into doubt nearly all day-to-day activities.
So what is and is not allowed under the order?
Grocery stores and other retail businesses that...
Santa Cruz County orders residents to stay home to halt COVID-19 spread
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County officials on Monday ordered all residents to stay home unless engaging in "essential services."
The shelter-in-place order, which goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday and lasts through April 7, is an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19,...
PVUSD schools to close for two weeks, teachers to stay home
WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees in an emergency meeting Saturday unanimously approved a plan to close all district schools for two weeks, and allow most employees to work from home.
Essential staff will provide services such as food, custodial and technology,...
Arts Now working with districts to spark students’ creativity
WATSONVILLE—As lunchtime drew to a close Wednesday, fourth- and fifth-grade students at Starlight Elementary School began to gradually filter into the classroom of art teacher Meredith Branan Freeman.
They were there to learn about stop-motion animation and create their own movies. Some students worked individually,...
All Santa Cruz County schools to close March 16-20
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Office of Education on Thursday evening announced that all schools in the county will be closed from March 16-20.
The announcement was emailed to parents throughout the county one day after a case was confirmed in a person with...
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....
