COVID-19

WATSONVILLE—A huge line of vehicles is almost constant now in front of A&S Metals on West Beach Street. It’s one of few spots the public can cash in its recyclables, which, for some, have been piling up around the house since the novel coronavirus shuts...

MONTEREY COUNTY—Businesses across the Pajaro River Bridge were dealt another tough blow this week, as Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday called for Monterey County restaurants, wineries, movie theaters, zoos, museums and card rooms to close their indoor operations.  Newsom also said the county’s bars must...

WATSONVILLE—Two Watsonville area charter schools received funds through the federal Payroll Protection Program (PPP), the $660 billion initiative created to use taxpayer dollars to help keep small business and nonprofit organizations afloat. Watsonville Prep School, which received more than $1.7 million, and Ceiba College Preparatory...

WATSONVILLE—A total of 27 residents and six staff members of Watsonville Post Acute Center have tested positive for Covid-19 since July 19, and the facility has enacted several safety and infection protocols to try to combat the virus’ spread. The most recent cases—two patients—were announced...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County officials on Friday said they will not yet join five other Bay Area counties in preemptively adhering to the regional stay-at-home order announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom Thursday. Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, Marin and Santa Clara counties will adopt...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—On Wednesday Second Harvest Food Bank will host its weekly community drive-thru food distribution at the County Fairgrounds 2601 East Lake Ave., from 9am–1pm. “This is a departure from our normal Friday distribution so that individuals and families in our community have access...

WATSONVILLE—At their core, Veterans of Foreign Wars halls and American Legion centers are places where former military members can gather to find camaraderie and a shared bond unique to their life experiences. “It’s a big part of what they consider their mental health treatment,” said...

WATSONVILLE—In the span of less than a week, Dignity Health-Dominican Hospital was able to set up a mass Covid-19 vaccination clinic on the outskirts of Watsonville to inoculate 1,000 people in the agriculture industry. Dignity Health’s parent corporation, CommonSpirit, said it would have 2,000 extra...

By Eduardo Porter, of The New York Times What should the president do about jobs? For 30 years, Democratic administrations have approached the question by focusing on the overall economy and trusting that a vibrant labor market would follow. But there is a growing feeling...

WATSONVILLE—The city of Watsonville has canceled most of its annual events slated for this year because of the ongoing pandemic, Mayor Jimmy Dutra said Friday evening. The events canceled include the Spirit of Watsonville Fourth of July Parade, The Fire in the Sky Firework show...