Hello hello. It is Wednesday, May 28 – another pleasant day around Santa Cruz County, with the marine layer making way for blue skies and highs in the 60s and 70s.
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Renovation projects at Ramsay Park and the downtown city plaza got a boost Tuesday night from the Watsonville City Council, Tania Ortiz reports, with another $12 million in bonds appproved. The funds will help finish the long-awaited Ramsay Park overhaul, city officials said, and spruce up the gazebo and lighting at the plaza, among other work.
Tania also had news earlier Tuesday that a Watsonville resident was arrested by federal immigration officials at their home, with legal observers from the Your Allied Rapid Response organization — who are trained to document activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — arriving at the location after the arrest was made and verifying the presence of immigration officials.
Third graders at Santa Cruz’s Gateway School are getting a firsthand look at entrepreneurship, Jessica M. Pasko reports as part of her weekly look at Santa Cruz County business, part of a program that sees the students partner with local business owners and employees and then report back to their classmates.
Aspiring country star Jesse Daniel will be back in his San Lorenzo Valley stomping grounds this weekend, Wallace Baine reports, debuting his new album locally as he headlines the annual Redwood Mountain Faire.
And before we proceed to the headlines, a view through the lens of photojournalist Kevin Painchaud:
Rainbow lights illuminated the Santa Cruz County government building and town clock on Tuesday night as more than 200 people gathered to kick off the 50th anniversary of Santa Cruz Pride. The event included speeches by local leaders and community advocates at the government center on Ocean Street, followed by a procession to the clock tower a couple of blocks away. The lighting ceremony opens a week of Pride events that will culminate in the annual parade and festival in downtown Santa Cruz on Sunday.
Watsonville approves $12 million in bonds for Ramsay Park, city plaza renovation projects
The Watsonville City Council voted to authorize a lease revenue bond to help address funding gaps for the city’s Ramsay Park and downtown plaza renovation projects. The $12 million bond will be split between the two. Tania Ortiz has our coverage.
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Gateway third graders get business education; residents react to proposed new Warriors venue
A project that gets elementary school students up close with Santa Cruz County businesses leads off Jessica M. Pasko’s weekly column, which also covers downtown changes, comings and goings, dates to know and more. Read it all here.
DAILY DIGEST
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Thank you for reading – until tomorrow.
Will McCahill