A new UC Santa Cruz study reveals that despite California’s strong access laws, historical discrimination, wealth disparities and systemic barriers still make the state’s coastlines overwhelmingly white and affluent.
Corralitos / Freedom
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Driscoll’s faces growing legal storm over pesticide safety, ‘forever chemicals’ and social media claims
Berry giant Driscoll’s is facing multiple legal challenges, including consumer lawsuits alleging “forever chemicals” and pesticide cover-ups, while simultaneously suing a mobile app startup for spreading false claims. The Watsonville-based company denies the allegations of misconduct, affirming its commitment to food safety and regulatory standards.
Posted inFood & Drink
The root of the crisis: Martinelli’s contract cuts are just the latest blow to California apple farmers
Long before Martinelli’s canceled contracts with some local growers this year, the Pajaro Valley’s apple industry had been in steady decline, squeezed by competition from Washington state, shifting consumer preferences and the lure of more profitable crops. Now, as orchards are ripped out across the region, farmers and industry leaders are searching for new ways to preserve one of Santa Cruz County’s oldest agricultural traditions.
Posted inEducation
Pajaro Valley Unified school board renews school resource officer contracts
Pajaro Valley Unified School District renewed contracts this week with local law enforcement agencies to provide on-campus officers at Aptos High, Watsonville High and Pajaro Valley High.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Supervisors shelve battery storage ordinance after Watsonville project moves to state
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to shelve a local ordinance regulating battery storage systems following a decision by the developer of a project proposed for outside Watsonville to seek approval through the state.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Driscoll’s should lead on pesticide reform – not debate childhood cancer statistics
A widely cited claim that Santa Cruz County’s childhood cancer rate is 38% above the state average is muddling the debate about pesticide reform, writes Watsonville activist and retired nurse Kathleen Kilpatrick. The number doesn’t prove pesticides cause cancer and shouldn’t be used that way, she writes. But correcting that statistic doesn’t change the broader body of evidence linking pesticide exposure to childhood cancer and other serious health harms. Driscoll’s, the largest berry marketer in the world, has the resources to reduce its use of the most hazardous pesticides and should publicly show its progress, not debate cancer numbers, she writes.
Posted inEducation
Pajaro Valley Unified chief business officer resigns
Pajaro Valley Unified School District Chief Business Officer Gerardo Castillo announced his resignation this week after less than a year on the job. His departure comes as the district grapples with continued strains on its budget.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County 2026 primary election results in charts: Final tallies for all county races
With the Santa Cruz County Clerk certifying the results of the June primary election on Friday, see how all the local races shook out in chart form.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Grand jury: Santa Cruz County must move faster on housing, strengthen behavioral health system
The Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury issued five reports on Thursday, covering a wide range of topics. Most notably, it focused on challenges contributing to the housing crisis and flaws in the county’s approach to behavioral health, along with pedestrian safety, election integrity, and concerns with the free parking at the county office buildings.
Posted inEducation
Watsonville police charge woman with criminal threats after social media comment
Watsonville police officers arrested a 22-year-old woman Friday after they say she posted a threatening comment on Instagram directed at the Pajaro Valley Unified School District board.
