When the budget is tight, the tight start budgeting, looking for bargains everywhere they can. These days people are buying cheaper clothing, not looking at the label to see where it was made, and not considering the kind of labor that went into making it.
Articles by Danny Wool
Madrigal Skips City Council Meeting
City Council member Tony Madrigal skipped Tuesday’s afternoon meeting following news last week he was stopped by the California Highway Patrol in August for erratic driving. He later failed to show up for his court date, and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. Although the matter was settled, several other city council members, including Mayor Mike Rotkin, came out against Madrigal. At the time Rotkin said that he was “shocked” by Madrigal’s behavior. “The biggest problem is that it sets the worst example, especially by not showing up for his court date. That’s really egregious.”
Watsonville Nurses Reject Wage Hike
According to Watsonville Community Hospital, nurses make an average $140,000 per year, and they could make even more if they signed their contract. But they are picketing the hospital instead. The problem isn’t the money, nurses say, though they contest the figure as well. It’s the level of patient care that they are expected to provide, especially since the hospital is so understaffed. “We just want our patients safe,” said Tim Thomas, one of the nurses.
Suspect in Watsonville Shooting to Be Tried as an Adult
Christian Speaker, the 17-year-old suspected of shooting store clerk Yahya Ahmed dead during a robbery, will be tried as an adult.
School Gets Funds to Encourage Kids to Walk and Bike
Gault Elementary School in Santa Cruz is about to receive $450,000 to encourage its students to ride their bikes or walk to school.
Crematorium Poses Threat to Development Project
Just about any housing development is faced with some unique problem or other from day one. Then there is the 40-unit residential development on Ocean Street Extension in Santa Cruz. The $8.5 million dollar project may have to be cancelled because it sits too close to a cemetery. And Halloween is just a week away.
Drive for Schools Rakes in the Cash
The state has no more money to add to the school budget and neither do local authorities. Instead, it’s up to the citizens themselves to lend a hand, and perhaps even benefit from their efforts. This Sunday, Drive for Schools, sponsored by the Boardwalk and Toyota and Subaru of Santa Cruz, held its drawing for the winner of this year’s raffle. The winner was Hillary Hirano of Santa Cruz, who has two sons attending school in Scotts Valley. Her prize was a choice between a Toyota Prius, a Subaru Outback or a check for $25,000. The real winners, though, were the 67 public schools across Santa Cruz County, who will share in the $384,000 that this year’s raffle brought in.
Minor Arrested in Watsonville Slaying
Police have arrested a 17-year-old male for the murder of Yahya Ahmed last Tuesday.
UCSC Seal Researcher Helps Map Ocean Floor
In Antarctica, unknown forces were shearing pieces off the Wilkins Ice Shelf. The Shelf, with an area the size of Jamaica, began to collapse in 2008, and scientists wanted to know why. If it disappears, they warn, more ice will flow from Antarctica into the ocean, accelerating the rise in sea levels. The problem is that the factors contributing to the disappearance of the ice shelf lie over a mile deep in frigid waters. Enter Daniel Costa, a UCSC researcher who studies elephant seals.
Five Arrested in Kiddie Porn Sting
Five men were arrested Wednesday for collecting and distributing child pornography over the Internet.
