Category: kion-local-news

Briana Mathaw

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) – The job market in Santa Cruz County is facing significant challenges as the workforce continues to shrink.

Experts suggest that the decline in employment is not just due to one factor, but rather a combination of issues.

From unaffordable housing to the abundance of low-paying jobs, there are multiple reasons why the local workforce isn’t growing at the pace it needs to.

As of 2024, the unemployment rate in Watsonville sits at 13.6%, while cities like Capitola, Santa Cruz, and Scotts Valley are doing better with rates ranging from 3.1% to 4.3%. Experts say the key reason for these disparities is simple, people can’t afford to live in the area.

Josh Williams, president of BW Research, explains that less than one in four households can afford the median priced house in Santa Cruz County, which contributes significantly to the issue. “So that affordability is a real problem. And again, at the end of the day, costs always go up,” he said.

The population in Santa Cruz County has dropped by 1.1% since 2021, and while job numbers have slightly increased, the majority of those jobs remain low-paying.

“You’re also seeing that, you know, your primary working-age population, you know, moving out. And that’s why the populations have been declining,” Williams added.

Locals are feeling the strain of the job market every day, as many express frustration over the lack of well-paying opportunities.

“There just aren’t a lot of jobs that are really robust, where you can make a decent living, or even afford an affordable apartment,” a Santa Cruz local said.

“The market out here is rough because, I feel like the minimum wage is very low,” another Santa Cruz local said.

The affordability of housing continues to be the biggest barrier to economic stability in the region, and the situation is only getting worse.

According to the report, nearly 50% of renters are spending more than 35% of their income on rent, which is a significant financial burden. “That’s a challenge,” Williams said.

The report also highlights that 57% of jobs in Santa Cruz County are in the lowest wage tier, which further limits economic mobility for many.

“Most people that have moved out are really in that primary working-age group. So it’s created a challenge for specific industries that are struggling to find workers,” Williams added.

Another issue is the rapid rise in home prices, which is outpacing income growth. This has driven housing affordability down to just 21%.

One local described the impact of this reality, saying, “I feel like people get kicked out of homes a lot because they can’t make rent or their mortgage because of how hard it is.”

Despite these challenges, certain sectors are still seeing job growth. According to Briana Mathaw’s live report, healthcare, tourism, education, and retail remain the biggest employers in Santa Cruz.

However, industries like defense and aerospace, including companies like Joby Aviation, are seeing the fastest growth in the region.

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Briana Mathaw

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) – The job market in Santa Cruz County is facing significant challenges as the workforce continues to shrink. 

Experts suggest that the decline in employment is not just due to one factor, but rather a combination of issues. 

From unaffordable housing to the abundance of low-paying jobs, there are multiple reasons why the local workforce isn’t growing at the pace it needs to. 

As of 2024, the unemployment rate in Watsonville sits at 13.6%, while cities like Capitola, Santa Cruz, and Scotts Valley are doing better with rates ranging from 3.1% to 4.3%. Experts say the key reason for these disparities is simple, people can’t afford to live in the area.

Josh Williams, president of BW Research, explains that less than one in four households can afford the median priced house in Santa Cruz County, which contributes significantly to the issue. “So that affordability is a real problem. And again, at the end of the day, costs always go up,” he said.

The population in Santa Cruz County has dropped by 1.1% since 2021, and while job numbers have slightly increased, the majority of those jobs remain low-paying.

“You’re also seeing that, you know, your primary working-age population, you know, moving out. And that’s why the populations have been declining,” Williams added. 

Locals are feeling the strain of the job market every day, as many express frustration over the lack of well-paying opportunities. 

“There just aren’t a lot of jobs that are really robust, where you can make a decent living, or even afford an affordable apartment,” a Santa Cruz local said.

“The market out here is rough because, I feel like the minimum wage is very low,” another Santa Cruz local said.

The affordability of housing continues to be the biggest barrier to economic stability in the region, and the situation is only getting worse. 

According to the report, nearly 50% of renters are spending more than 35% of their income on rent, which is a significant financial burden. “That’s a challenge,” Williams said.

The report also highlights that 57% of jobs in Santa Cruz County are in the lowest wage tier, which further limits economic mobility for many. 

“Most people that have moved out are really in that primary working-age group. So it’s created a challenge for specific industries that are struggling to find workers,” Williams added.

Another issue is the rapid rise in home prices, which is outpacing income growth. This has driven housing affordability down to just 21%. 

One local described the impact of this reality, saying, “I feel like people get kicked out of homes a lot because they can’t make rent or their mortgage because of how hard it is.”

Despite these challenges, certain sectors are still seeing job growth. According to Briana Mathaw’s live report, healthcare, tourism, education, and retail remain the biggest employers in Santa Cruz. 

However, industries like defense and aerospace, including companies like Joby Aviation, are seeing the fastest growth in the region.

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jose.romo

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — A new AI chatbot is looking to bridge the information gap when it comes to wildfires. CAL Fire is saying additional tools on their website are providing people with real-time information. Concern for potential wildfires might not be at the forefront of people’s minds when they look out their window and see a cloudy afternoon.

 “As we can hear the radio traffic in the background, we’re still getting fires daily.”

CAL Fire Battalion Chief Josh Silveira says cool weather might fool people into believing fire risk is low. He urges people to stay informed about potential fire risk. Adding a new tool might help. 

CAL fire says this AI chatbot will help people be better prepared by allowing them to receive information about previous fires and current incidents. 

“You get near real-time information if there is an active incident in your area, with where the evacuation zones that are currently affected are, and where shelters are going to be located.”

Silveira says within five to ten minutes, they are able to put out information on fire acreage, damage, and containment. He adds that people can use the chatbot to see if their neighborhood is fire-prone. 

“It’s going to do a really quick and thorough query over any past history of fires in that area, what those fires did, what the fires’ names were, things like that, so that people could be as informed as possible and have it in a user interface that they’re already relatively familiar with.” 

Some, like William, are just now hearing about the tool. “Sobre esa herramienta uno puede estar más preparado,” he says this tool will help him be more prepared as one never knows when fire help will be necessary. Others, like Paul Kampe prefer to follow CAL Fires suggestions and directly call 9-11 in a case of a fire, directly putting them in danger.  

“I don’t know what else we can do other than just be alert to anything that looks like it could be a problem and call 9- 1-1, get the info out there. so they get the right people out here.”

The chatbot is now available on CAL Fire’s website, providing real-time data to people in hopes of preventing future major fires.

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Makenzie Bennett

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION-TV) — After seven years as city manager, Hans Uslar has announced his retirement in December of 2025.

With 28 years of working for the city, Uslar initiated the implementation of the City’s Fiscal Healthy Response Plan, leading the city’s team through the unknowns of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With a commitment to building a strong workplace culture and professional development support, Uslar says he’ll remain dedicated to a smooth and effective transition.

“Our city employees represent the very best of public service. Their dedication, professionalism andreliability – 365 days a year, 24/7– are what truly keeps our city thriving. I have always beendeeply honored to work alongside such an exceptional team,” said Uslar.

From starting his career as a manager analyst for the City of Monterey in 1997, he flourished through a multitude of titles before his role as the city manager in 2018.

“Monterey is a remarkable place to live and serve, and I look forward to continuing tobe part of this special place,” he said.

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Makenzie Bennett

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION-TV) — The EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) reached an agreement with Vistra Corp. to remove and dispose of the batteries affected by the fire last January at Moss Landing.

Under the EPA’s oversight, Vistra will reduce the risk of another fire by conducting safe and harmless battery removal.

“We’ve arrived at a key milestone in the Moss Landing response: an agreement that allows our EPA experts to ensure the safe removal and proper disposal of these dangerous damaged batteries,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Region Administrator Josh F.W. Cook.

Vistra is required to submit detailed work plans to the EPA while taking comprehensive safety measures to ensure the protection of nearby residents and workers throughout the cleanup.

They will also be required to implement air monitoring and air sampling surrounding the property during removal. A private firefighting company will accompany them on site at all times.

This cleanup follows the battery plant fire that broke out earlier this year in Moss Landing. Vistra was considered a potential responsible party and must take on the costs of the removal and disposal.

Public access to track updates can be found here: https://www.epa.gov/ca/moss-landing-vistra-battery-fire

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Jeanette Bent

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION-TV) — The U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries met Tuesday to consider a proposed draft bill that would change language in the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito saying that this could gravely jeopardize the act that has protected whales, dolphins, sea otters, sea lions and other marine mammals from harm — and even extinction — over the past 50 years.

“There’s language in the Marine Mammal Protection Act that is around mitigating and minimizing harm, minimizing takes of marine mammals,” said Doctor Jeff Boehm, Chief External Relations Officer for the Marine Mammal Center. “All of that language is being torn up and the protections that will be left that would be afforded marine animals will be negligible.”

The language, according to Dr. Boehm, is “dramatically different, basically taking the floor and dropping it to almost non-existent.”

The decision to modernize language in the act brought to congress by former U.S. Alaskan Senator Mark Begich.

“The Marine Mammal Protection Act has been in place for over 50 years, and during that time it served an important role in conserving marine mammals and protecting our oceans,” said Begich. “But, as the decades have passed, we’ve also seen how its implementation, particularly in the use of vague or overly precautionary standards, has led to confusion, delay and unintended harm.”

This comes as Dr. Boehm says, is terrible timing.

“Just a couple of years ago, we were celebrating what this — then — 50-year-old act had brought us. We have rebounded species of animals,” said Dr. Boehm. “The timing is wrong, the intent is wrong… this act has been a model that has kept any marine animal from going extinct in U.S. waters.”

During the meeting, politicians heard from supporters as well as people and institutions opposing the language change, saying that regardless of the outcome, negotiations and continued discussion are necessary.

Also during the meeting, politicians read dozens of letters from scientific institutions opposing the draft.

The subcommittee deciding to continue the discussion during a future meeting.

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Victor Guzman

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — The Monterey County D.A. announced the suspect in a deadly shooting at Jaime’s Lounge in April 2024 has been convicted of second-degree murder.

The D.A. said Mario Thomas Garcia of Salinas was found guilty in court by a jury. He was accused of shooting and killing Gabriel Gutierrez that night outside of the bar.

According to the D.A. although witnesses did not cooperate with police initially, surveillance video was recovered from the bar plus some nearby businesses that captured the defendant’s actions leading up to the shooting.

The D.A. said Garcia left the country but was found and arrested in Mexico before being extradited to the U.S. for prosecution.

Investigators said a motive for the killing stemmed from a separate incident that happened 30 minutes prior at a different bar.

The D.A. said the victim, Gabriel Gutierrez, was not involved in that prior altercation.

Garcia faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 20.

Deputies identify victim killed in the Salinas Street shooting

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has identified the 46-year-old man who died in a Salinas shooting on Friday night.

The man has been identified as Gabriel Gutierrez per the Sheriff’s Office.

Salinas Police said they responded to the 200 block of Salinas Street around 11:37 p.m. for reports of a shooting.

Officers found Gutierrez suffering from a gunshot wound and he was transported to a local hospital.

Police said the man died at the local hospital. Salinas Police said the man was reportedly seen running from the area immediately after shots were fired.

If you have any information, you can contact the Salinas Police Department’s anonymous tip line at 831-775-4222.

Man killed in Salinas shooting, police looking for suspect

A 46-year-old man is dead after a shooting on the 200 block of Salinas Street late Friday night.

According to police they received reports of a shooting at 11:37 p.m. and found a man suffering from a gunshot wound.

The victim was transported to a local hospital but didn’t survive.

Another man was reportedly seen running from the area immediately after the shots were fired.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Byron Gansen at 831-801-3549. If you wish to remain anonymous you may also call the Salinas Police Department anonymous tip line at 831-775-4222.

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Victor Guzman

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV) – A Watsonville man has pleaded not guilty in the attempted murder involving a mobile home fire on Thursday.

According to the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Cruz, Hawkins pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including attempted murder, animal cruelty, and arson.

Reports of the fire came in at 7:30 a.m. on Crespi Way, with crews responding to the fire, with three people being in the home at the time.

Hawkins and the two other victims had suffered injuries and were treated at a trauma center.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15.

Watsonville mobile home fire being investigated as attempted murder

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV) – Watsonville Police are investigating a mobile home fire this morning as attempted murder.

According to Watsonville Police, reports of the fire came in around 7:30 a.m. on the 20 block of Crespi Way. Officers were on site and rescued a man from the home and evacuated nearby neighbors.

Three other adults were inside the home, with two of them being taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Watsonville Police detectives arrived at the home as there were indications that the fire may have been set intentionally.

Preliminary investigations show that the suspect, 65-year-old Duane Hawkins, arrived at the home and began the fire after an argument.

The suspect suffered moderate injuries and is undergoing treatment at a Bay Area trauma center. Hawkins is expected to face attempted murder and arson charges once released from treatment.

Santa Cruz County Fire Investigation Task Force is aiding in the investigation.

The identities of the other two victims are not being provided due to the sensitivity surrounding the investigation.

Home deemed uninhabitable after fire in Watsonville, three taken to hospital

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV) – A home in Watsonville was deemed uninhabitable after a fire earlier this morning.

According to Watsonville Police, the fire broke out around 7:30 a.m. on the 20 block of Crespi Way at a mobile home. All Watsonville police units responded to the scene.

Three people, two men and one woman, were taken to the hospital. One of those victims was taken to a trauma center in the Bay Area.

Neighbors will be without power for several hours. According to PG&E’s Outage Map, it shows 127 customers are without power.

The house is now red-tagged.

This is a developing story. We will have more details as they become available.

Fire reported in Watsonville area as cameras show plume of smoke

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV) — A plume of smoke could be seen in the middle of a neighborhood in the Watsonville area on Tuesday morning.

The Pulse Point app shows a report of a fire along 23 Crespi Way in the city, with UC San Diego’s Alert California Wildfire cameras appearing to show their camera pointed in that direction around 7:45 on Tuesday morning.

The smoke started as a black color but after 20 minutes has shifted to a light grey color.

It’s also unclear what specifically is burning at this time.

KION is reaching out to Watsonville Fire and Police to learn more about this apparent fire.

This is a developing story

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Victor Guzman

SAN BENITO COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — Firefighters contained a vegetation fire that burned in eastern San Benito County late Sunday night.

Cal Fire BEU said its crews were still on scene overnight making sure no hot spots were around at the fire near Panoche Road.

Firefighters said the fire sparked just after 10 pm and grew to about 1.2 acres before it was contained.

No injuries or structure damage was reported.

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Jeanette Bent

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — The Big Sur Marathon Foundation and the Monterey County Juvenile Detention Center have gotten together to create the inaugural 13.1-mile race called “The Hall Half.”

Ten runners, named the “Concrete Steppers,” will run 124 laps to complete the race.

Organizers say the mission is to inspire healthy lifestyles through memorable running experiences.

The event is taking place on Friday, July 25 at 8 a.m. at the Monterey County Juvenile Detention Center on 1420 Natividad Road in Salinas.

“With this opportunity, the Foundation aims to empower these participants with the tools and confidence to build healthier, safer, and more active lives,” said the Big Sur Marathon Foundation.

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