Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How new soil steaming tests near Watsonville schools could change farming

Happening soon: Cafecitos/Coffee with the Principals ?? on the Watsonville Patch calendar

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Hi Watsonville! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How new soil steaming tests near Watsonville schools could change farming
  • What Watsonville parents need to know about the NICU shutdown now
  • Sheriff seeks information after arrest of former Watsonville Christian school teacher

Today's riddle: What is full of holes but still holds water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Low clouds breaking, with a high of 73 and low of 55 degrees.
  • Saturday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, temps: high: 76, low: 56.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 73 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Santa Cruz County holds first meeting to discuss soil steam pilot project (santacruzsentinel.com) — Santa Cruz County agricultural officials are testing a pesticide alternative in berry fields near Watsonville schools and just held their first public meeting at the South County Government Center. The soil steaming pilot will run through fall, with another community meeting planned later, and could shape how growers manage pests around Watsonville's neighborhoods and campuses in the coming years.
   

• Watsonville Community Hospital temporarily closes NICU amid staffing shortage (santacruzsentinel.com) — Watsonville Community Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit has been temporarily closed for about a month because of a shortage of labor and delivery nurses, though babies are still being delivered there. Interim CEO Tim Moran says the Level II NICU will reopen once staffing is stabilized, and in the meantime newborns needing higher-level care are being transferred to partner hospitals in the region.
   

• Former Santa Cruz County Christian school teacher arrested on suspicion of child sex crimes (mercurynews.com) — A former Monte Vista Christian School teacher has been arrested on suspicion of committing lewd acts with a minor, and Santa Cruz County detectives say they are still investigating and seeking additional information. The alleged conduct dates to 2022, when he was teaching biology in Watsonville, and the sheriff's office urges anyone with relevant information to contact Detective Munoz.
   

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Wooden Nickel est 1978 still going strong.
    We had learned that Leo wanted to retire. So a local customer who had been a regular for several years didn't want to see it go away. He put an… (Nextdoor Larkin Valley)
  • Monte Vista Christian School, Inc. posted a job opening for Varsity Head Girls Basketball Coach & Program Builder in Watsonville. Apply here.
  • Pajaro Valley Unified School District posted a job opening for 25/26 School Year - Music Teacher Elementary School - Multiple Sites - Full Family Benefits $90 per month in Watsonville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Watsonville here.

🗞 Nearby News

Pajaro

Aptos

  • High school football 2026 preview: Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division (modbee.com)

Capitola

  • Avalon Visions Center For Creative Spirituality - Capitola, CA Patch (patch.com)
  • Teen pleads not guilty in Capitola Mall fatal stabbing of grandmother (amedpost.com)
  • Tell us what local issues you care about. We'll press candidates running for office. (santacruzlocal.org)

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: A sponge (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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