Santa Cruz County is in first place — but not in a good way. It has once again been named the country’s most expensive rental market, marking four years in a row that it has claimed the top spot.
Watsonville / Pajaro
Posted inLatest News
Beyond free access: UC Santa Cruz study exposes the hidden barriers to California’s beaches
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.
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 inLatest News
Carmageddon: Bike Santa Cruz County annual survey shows traffic stress, poor connections, youth safety among top concerns
Bike Santa Cruz County released its second annual survey report, showing that unsafe traffic, poorly connected routes and concern for youth safety are among the biggest worries for local cyclists.
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 inLatest News
Several local projects receiving funding as part of major $2.5 billion state transportation package
Several Santa Cruz County projects are receiving a boost as part of a $2.5 billion transit funding package that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office announced on Thursday.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Elderday needs 60 more people: The need exists, but the healthcare system isn’t connecting them
Raymon Cancino, CEO of Community Bridges, points out a big failure in our community – our inability to connect needy people to the services they need. Here, he warns that Elderday, which serves about 140 vulnerable older adults in Watsonville, faces an unsustainable financial future unless enrollment grows to roughly 200 participants.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘Where are we supposed to go?’: Watsonville’s new camping ban deepens anxiety for unhoused residents
For eight years, 58-year-old farmworker Alejandro Garcia has struggled to find a safe place to sleep in Watsonville. His anxiety is now compounding as the city implements new rules that ban camping along rivers and sloughs, allowing crews to clear encampments without warning.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
State energy commission determines New Leaf Energy’s application for Watsonville project ‘incomplete’
The California Energy Commission has determined that an application from Massachusetts-based developer New Leaf Energy for its proposed battery storage facility located in Watsonville is incomplete following a 30-day review. The state energy commission finished its initial review of New Leaf’s application on July 8. It determined that the developers need additional information for more […]
