Watsonville Community Hospital officials have reached a tentative agreement to sell the hospital’s operations to the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District Project — a recently formed nonprofit made up of local government bodies and healthcare nonprofits. If successful, the purchase would prevent the closure of the hospital.
Watsonville
Posted inCity Life
Keeping It Local: When it comes to apparel, ‘buying local’ is in the eye of the wearer
Lookout’s “Keeping It Local” gift guide rolls along as Wallace Baine threads his way through Santa Cruz clothing options. And stay tuned for another installment from Lily Belli on Friday.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville City Council special election window closes Tuesday — here’s what you need to know
Following the unexpected departure of District 2 Councilmember Aurelio Gonzalez in September, two people are vying in a special election to replace him on the Watsonville City Council: Francisco “Frank” Barba and Vanessa Quiroz-Carter. Early voting started last month, but ends on Dec. 7.
Posted inLatest News
Thousands of farmworkers will get pay raises thanks to a lawsuit
Guest farmworkers will see pay increases in 2022 thanks to a lawsuit to stop a Trump-era wage freeze. President Trump proposed the freeze in an attempt to help farmers who lost profit and fallowed land during the pandemic shutdown in 2020. But farmworker advocates sued the Department of Agriculture to stop the freeze from taking effect.
Posted inHousing & Development
City eyeballs the math for housing needs ahead: A staggering 3,400 more units required by 2031
The Santa Cruz City Council moved ahead on a regional housing needs allocation (RHNA) draft that spells out just how much housing — including 826 very-low-income units — must be built during the 2024-31 cycle. That represents a 457% increase over the current cycle.
Posted inCity Life
Keeping It Local: Sweet, savory, you name it — Santa Cruz has a yummy gift for every foodie in your life
Lookout’s “Keeping It Local” gift guide continues with Lily Belli’s suggestions for chocolate and honey to charcuterie and beyond. She and Wallace Baine are taking turns this week on various guides, so stay tuned!
Posted inHousing & Development
Interested in tiny homes? Santa Cruz County wants to hear from you
County officials are holding a series of public meetings, beginning Wednesday, to gather input on building and regulating tiny homes. While tiny homes are currently permitted as stationary dwellings, the county wants to establish development guidelines moving forward.
Posted inCity Life
Keeping It Local: For the art lover, Santa Cruz County offers a dizzying variety of gift options
Wallace Baine digs into the art scene as Lookout’s “Keeping It Local” gift guide continues — and from collages to high-end leather goods and prints of all sizes and price points, there’s something out there for just about anyone on your list. Wallace and Lily Belli will be taking turns this week on various guides, so stay tuned!
Posted inCOVID 2022
Trying to avoid countywide ‘shockwaves’: Local task force works at keeping Watsonville Hospital open
Watsonville Community Hospital CEO Steven Salyer announced to employees earlier this month that the hospital could have to close unless someone purchases it. A nonprofit coalition has been in discussions with the hospital to buy it, but one of its members says there are several steps complicating the purchase.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Giving thanks with selflessness: Caregivers sacrifice holiday time with family to serve elderly clients
Caregivers say they are incredibly grateful for the trust they have been given and impact they have on their clients’ lives. But they ask people to remember they often give up their own holidays to serve the some of the most vulnerable among us.