Good morning to you Watsonville! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Today's riddle: Where do math teachers go on vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. Watsonville Police Department receives $22K in federal funding for crime analysis (santacruzsentinel.com) — Watsonville residents can expect more data-driven policing after the Watsonville Police Department received a $22,285 federal grant for new crime analysis software. The funding, announced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren, will help identify crime hot spots so limited officers and resources can be deployed more strategically to improve safety around town.
2. 'Catz football falls to 0-2 following nonleague loss to Alisal (pajaronian.com) — Watsonville High's football team has stumbled to an 0-2 start after a 34-10 nonleague loss to Alisal, with coaches and players vowing to fix penalties and execution before league play. Local fans also have brighter news: Pajaro Valley football is 2-0, Watsonville girls flag football is 3-0, and Monte Vista Christian volleyball remains unbeaten heading into key home matches next week.
3. County prepares for potentially strong El Niño (pajaronian.com) — Santa Cruz County is stepping up winter preparations that directly affect Watsonville, including work with the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency on the Pajaro River levee system and emergency flood-fighting plans. Residents can now access an updated El Niño resource webpage with sandbag locations, evacuation and alert information, and guidance on flooding, landslides, and storm impacts in English and Spanish.
4. New company takes over Minto Road BESS project (pajaronian.com) — A controversial battery energy storage project just outside Watsonville has a new owner, as Chicago-based Invenergy takes over the Seahawk Energy Storage proposal on Minto Road while keeping plans to seek state approval. Nearby residents and groups remain strongly opposed, citing fire, evacuation, and environmental risks, even as the company touts updated safety standards and millions in projected tax and economic benefits for Santa Cruz County.
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Ok Watsonville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Times Square (Thank you Jean K. for sending it in!)
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