Out of the 400 voters surveyed in the Pajaro Valley Health Care District, 75.5% said they would vote yes on a bond measure to support Watsonville Community Hospital and 2.5% said they were leaning in that direction. About 61% of voters supported a tax at an annual rate of $19 per $100,000 of assessed property value versus a total of 54% of voters who said they would support a higher rate of $24.
Watsonville / Pajaro
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville’s first new park in 20 years a boost to ‘underserved’ area
Santa Cruz County is getting its first new park in more than two decades after county supervisors voted unanimously late last month to approve the purchase of 35.5 acres of land at 188 Whiting Rd. in Watsonville.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Free music outdoors, wine, beer and art and Pajaro Valley Pride — it’s a packed weekend in Watsonville
From free, family-friendly activities to strolling downtown and sampling the goods from Santa Cruz County wineries and breweries, it’s a good time to get yourself to Watsonville.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville City Council adopts resolution supporting transition to organic farming
Watsonville city council members unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday night encouraging the transition to organic farming on agricultural fields within one mile of the city’s urban limit line. It also says the city will coordinate with local and private organizations to make that happen. While the city has no authority to force growers to make the transition, advocates for stricter rules surrounding pesticide use near school say the resolution “puts the city on the record” about their support for the shift to organic.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville City Council supports organic conversion from pesticides near area schools
“I’ll be a supportive voice wherever you might need,” council member Maria Orozco told a crowd supporting the conversion of school-adjacent farms from pesticide use to organic methods Tuesday evening. By one estimate, only 18 of the 67 farms within a quarter-mile of schools in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District use organic farming.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Should Watsonville Community Hospital buy its building and the land it sits on?
Wednesday evening, the board of the Pajaro Valley Health Care District heard a presentation on the possibility of buying the real estate Watsonville Community Hospital sits on through a future bond measure. Currently, the district pays $250,000 per month in rent for the facility, and it is looking for ways to save money long-term.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville hospital board appoints interim CEO; search for new leader could take nine months
Matko Vranjes, the current chief operating officer of Watsonville Community Hospital, will be its interim CEO as the hospital’s board of directors embarks on a search to replace Steven Salyer. Between Salyer’s sudden resignation and the impact of recent storms, the board is also looking to adjust the timeline on the hospital’s strategic planning process.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville Community Hospital CEO resigns; board to announce next steps Wednesday
After steering Watsonville Community Hospital through its transition to public ownership during nearly two years at the helm, CEO Steven Salyer submitted his resignation late last week, leaving the hospital’s governing board to fill the unexpected vacancy.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Left in limbo by Pajaro levee breach, families struggle with disrupted lives and school
The flooding of the community of Pajaro has left many families without incomes and potentially without homes to return to, and disrupted instruction for about 900 students in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. Nearly 2,000 people were evacuated after the Pajaro River levee failed over the weekend, leaving residents with no idea when they’ll be allowed to return.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville Community Hospital on track to break even as early as end of 2023, leaders say
After millions in annual losses under for-profit management, Watsonville Community Hospital recorded its first month of positive cash flow in years in October as it transitions to public ownership. Next moves include establishing a charitable foundation to help continue the community fundraising that was crucial in making that transition happen.