COVID-19

Almost all Americans will soon receive one-time payments from the federal government thanks to the nearly $2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill approved by Congress on Tuesday night, according to the Associated Press. Details of the unrivaled package are expected to change as leaders continue negotiations...

WATSONVILLE—Freedom Bakery owner Anna Liu said her new line of cookies was inspired by her children. Seeing her 9-, 12- and 15-year-olds dealing with school being closed due to the countywide shelter-in-place order is difficult, she said, and made her want to do something for...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel on Friday recommended that everyone cover their mouth and nose with cloth when leaving their homes to protect themselves from coronavirus. The guidance, which comes from the California Department of Public Health, is in addition...

WATSONVILLE—More than 10 percent of the $349 billion set aside for the nation’s small businesses struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic has already been claimed as of Monday morning, according to National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow. Speaking to reporters at the White...

SANTA CRUZ—Dozens of law enforcement officials in two states arrested four men on Tuesday in connection with the Oct. 1 kidnapping and murder of tech executive and Pleasure Point resident Tushar Atre. Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said during a Thursday press conference that...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County Superior Court plans to resume jury trials in late summer, a little more than two months after they were temporarily suspended due to concerns over Covid-19. Presiding Judge Paul Burdick announced on March 17 that all jury trials—including criminal, civil...

SACRAMENTO—California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday ordered bars and restaurants in 19 counties to close their indoor dining options for at least three weeks, as the state faces increasing cases of Covid-19 and residents plan for the busy July 4 weekend. The state saw 5,898...

One facet of the stay-at-home, and work-from-home coronavirus ordeal is an uptick in home gardening and landscaping. With extra time spent around the home, some folks are putting more time, and money, into the land that surrounds their homes. “They’re stuck at home more and...

WATSONVILLE—In a surprise end-of-meeting redux, the Watsonville City Council approved a moratorium on Covid-19 related evictions, reversing a decision it made just hours prior during Tuesday night’s meeting. The council was preparing to wrap up the virtual session when Councilman Aurelio Gonzalez made a motion...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The economic restrictions imposed on various Santa Cruz County businesses are not expected to be loosened this week, according to Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency spokeswoman Corinne Hyland. That’s despite the fact that the county will have spent its 14th day off...