City parks in Monterey County reopen to community
MONTEREY COUNTY — City parks throughout Monterey County have begun to reopen due to the lessening of health restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Gonzales Recreation Department announced the reopening of its parks by March 12. The announcement followed a March 1 reopening of the...
Unemployment claims rise as pandemic hits 1-year mark
The surge in unemployment filings in March 2020 provided one of the first clear warnings of the havoc the pandemic was wreaking on the U.S. economy.
One year later, that klaxon is still blaring.
More than 746,000 people filed first-time applications for state unemployment benefits last...
Vaccination rates are lower in disadvantaged counties, CDC reports
Even though the pandemic has taken a disproportionate toll on people of color and on low-income communities, Americans in wealthier counties have been getting vaccinated against the coronavirus at higher rates than those who live in more distressed, impoverished counties, federal health researchers reported...
Monterey County moves into red Covid tier
MONTEREY COUNTY — Residents in Monterey County can now look forward to fewer restrictions as the region moves from the most severe risk, Purple Tier, and into the moderate risk, Red Tier, of California’s Covid-19 reopening plan.
The announcement was made Tuesday after the county...
What’s in the federal stimulus for Californians?
Last week, President Joe Biden signed into law a wide-reaching $1.9 trillion stimulus package aimed at throwing a lifeline to Americans struggling through the pandemic.
In California, the news has come as a particular relief.
Many businesses here have been closed or restricted for a year....
Uncounted in the unemployment rate, but they want to work
Robert Hesse was expecting an imminent promotion to manager of Sub Zero Ice Cream, a nitrogen ice cream shop in Ventura, California, when it shut down in March because of the pandemic.
“I like to work,” said Hesse, a college graduate who turns 26 on...
Unemployment claims fall, fueling economic hope
UNITED STATES — The second year of the coronavirus pandemic is starting with rising hopes for the economic outlook — and a long way to go.
Positive signs are emerging as restrictions on businesses lift and the pace of vaccine distributions ramps up. But millions...
Biden signs stimulus bill ahead of prime-time address
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion economic relief package on Thursday afternoon, ushering in an aggressive infusion of federal aid in a far-reaching effort to address the toll of the coronavirus pandemic.
“This historic legislation is about rebuilding the backbone of...
Monterey County inches closer to red tier of California reopening plan
MONTEREY COUNTY — Infection rates are declining in Monterey County, with fewer daily confirmed cases of Covid-19 as time goes on, reported county health officer Dr. Edward Moreno during the March 3 press briefing.
“If we continue to avoid gatherings and stay home as much...
Black and Hispanic communities grapple with vaccine misinformation
SAN JOSE, Calif. — On an unseasonably warm day in February, two men working with a local community group went door to door in an ethnically diverse neighborhood to persuade people to sign up for COVID-19 vaccinations.
It was just after 11 a.m. when they...
