In this edition of In the Public Interest, Christopher Neely digs into the Access to Medical Care Agreement approved last week by county supervisors with Kaiser Permanente and what it means on the local health care scene.
Health & Wellness
Posted inPolitics & Policy
As fentanyl deaths surge in California, lawmakers kill bills that would punish dealers
Saying they want to decrease California’s prison population, lawmakers kill bills to increase criminal penalties for fentanyl dealers.
Posted inCOVID Today
COVID Dashboard: Is another bivalent booster coming?
News of the week Monday’s update of the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency’s COVID case count showed 287 active cases. That’s just 7 fewer than last Monday. No new deaths were reported locally, keeping the county’s pandemic death toll at 276. Hospitalizations are down across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control. […]
Posted inRecreation & Sports
New San Francisco Giant Mitch Haniger has a team in Santa Cruz County, too
With Opening Day this Thursday, Major League Baseball All-Star and Bay Area native Mitch Haniger is about to begin his tenure with the San Francisco Giants. In addition to being from the area, two integral parts of his training and injury recovery path are based right here in Santa Cruz County.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
End of the rainbow? California bill would ban sales of Skittles, other ‘toxic’ snacks
A proposed California law would ban the sale of foods including Skittles and other snacks that contain certain “dangerous chemicals.”
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 inK-12 Education
California bill would require all public high schools to hand out free condoms
The California legislation aims to reduce pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, which disproportionately affect youth of color.
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 inCOVID Today
COVID Dashboard: Santa Cruz County drops to ‘moderate’ transmission tier
News of the week Monday’s update of the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency’s COVID case count showed 294 active cases. That’s 34 fewer than last Monday. No new deaths were reported locally, keeping the county’s pandemic death toll at 276. Hospitalizations are down across the country according to the Centers for Disease Control. Local […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Newsom proposes bond measure, sweeping mental health reform in California
Gov. Gavin Newsom calls for sweeping mental health reforms to generate billions for behavioral health facilities throughout California.