Santa Cruz County Veterans Digest

Federal judge David O. Carter has declined to dismiss a lawsuit that could force the Veterans Administration to house veterans experiencing homelessness in the Los Angeles area. Carter’s 41-page ruling could pave the way for a trial in mid-2024.

After nearly five years of planning, members of Cabrillo Host, Freedom Host and Santa Cruz Host Lions Clubs gathered to dedicate the new benches in honor of veterans.

Some two years after plans to convert a San Lorenzo Valley motel into affordable veteran housing were announced, the property's new owners say they expect the Highway 9 site’s capacity to nearly double in size by the end of 2024.

The link between PFAS and testicular cancer among service members was never directly proven—until now.

Rep. Jimmy Panetta convened a panel of veterans to discuss the Honoring Our PACT Act, which ensures that veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service receive the care they need.

The Monterey County Military and Veterans Affairs Office will be holding a rally in support of a proposed veterans home to serve aging, disabled, and homeless veterans and spouses on the Central Coast.

In honor of Veterans Day, Board of Supervisors Chair Manu Koenig and Santa Cruz Mayor Sonja Brunner will recognize county and city staff who served in the United States Armed Forces.

A new nonprofit on the Central Coast looks to ensure safe drinking water and access to waterways for all, particularly those in disadvantaged communities. The fledgling nonprofit is called Waterkeeper Monterey, formerly known as Monterey Coastkeeper.

The Military and Veterans Affairs office of Monterey County has a dream: a veterans home located in the county, preferably close to services such as health care while providing much-needed skilled nursing and memory care.

The 2022 Monterey County Veterans Stand Down, an event where homeless veterans on the Central Coast can get help obtaining services, is coming up. Hosted by the Veterans Transition Center, it takes place June 17-18. All homeless men, women and veterans with families are welcome.

An offer by the Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Building to purchase two parcels currently occupied by Jaye’s Timberlane Resort has been accepted. Housing for as many as 16 pre-screened veterans and their families may be available on the property by early next year.

Canceled last year due to COVID-19, Watsonville’s Veterans Day celebration returns as an in-person event. Participants will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 11 in the parking lot of St. Patrick’s Church, 721 Main St.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6359 is looking for relatives of Sylvester R. Chavez, an infantryman with the 1st Air Cavalry’s 7th Squadron in Vietnam. His mother was Mary Chavez of Watsonville.