Tierras Milperas offered farmworkers in its network of seven community gardens a vision of self-government and food sovereignty. But over the past nearly two years, that utopian ideal has devolved into a power struggle between the organization and two Watsonville churches that has raised issues of classism, racism and political ideology.
Watsonville / Pajaro
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Less than two years into the job, Watsonville’s city manager resigns to lead Salinas
Watsonville will be on the hunt for a city manager for the second time in two years after Rene Mendez was hired to take over as Salinas’ top bureaucrat.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Measure N: Watsonville Community Hospital’s $116 million bond passes
Measure N, Watsonville Community Hospital’s $116 million bond, passed on Tuesday, after the release of results from Santa Cruz County. A combined total of 68.2% voters in both Santa Cruz and Monterey counties supported the measure.
Posted inEducation
Pajaro Valley Unified School District announces new superintendent
Heather Contreras, currently the assistant superintendent of school leadership for Modesto City Schools, will replace Michelle Rodriguez as superintendent of Pajaro Valley Unified School District. The district did not provide a start date for Contreras but said current interim superintendent Murry Schekman’s last day will be May 7.
Posted inFood & Drink
Best of Santa Cruz County food & drink events, March 15-21
Lookout food & drink correspondent Lily Belli highlights top events happening around Santa Cruz County in the coming week, plus more listings from Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
A lowrider show for the ages in Watsonville — and it’s not over
Sunday’s lowrider cruising through downtown Watsonville helped kick off a joint Pajaro Valley Arts-Watsonville Film Festival art show, and while you’re not necessarily guaranteed an automotive parade, the must-see art of “More Than Cars: Celebrating Lowrider Culture” runs through June.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Is Watsonville’s lowrider scene on the verge of a new renaissance?
Watsonville’s always-rich lowrider subculture has matured into a scene where local car lovers get together, swap stories, raise money for charity and embrace the all-consuming love of old cars. On Sunday, the culture will be celebrated downtown.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
‘Crossing our fingers’: Watsonville hospital leaders eye slim lead on bond measure as vote count continues
Watsonville Community Hospital leaders say they’re holding their breath as they wait for the final votes to be counted for Measure N, the $116 million bond measure in Tuesday’s election. The approval rate was 68.15% heading into Friday’s vote update from the Santa Cruz County Clerk.
Posted inFood & Drink
Farmers markets rally to save vital assistance for low-income shoppers
For the past 15 years, the Market Match program has doubled what SNAP recipients can spend at local farmers markets on fresh fruits and vegetables. Now, the state is considering withdrawing its funding.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘Two-thirds and apathy’: Watsonville hospital’s Measure N faces uphill battle at the ballot box
Measure N seeks to implement a new tax and raise $116 million for publicly owned Watsonville Community Hospital; however, the campaign will need to rely on the support of a voter base that struggles to turn out.