WATSONVILLE

Mexican ban on berries lifted

The Mexican ban on Central Coast berries was lifted Thursday, after the Mexican government agreed to use U.S. Department of Agriculture standards to certify if strawberry exports are safe from the light brown apple moth.

Last week, Mexico unveiled new quarantine restrictions that would have virtually banned Santa Cruz County produce that was grown, refrigerated or packed within a 1.9 mile radius of a reported moth.

The decision to lift the ban was good news for strawberry growers, whose season ramps up in about three weeks. If the ban had remained, it could have cost county growers $1.9 million.

SANTA CRUZ

Head of leader group steps down

Gary Smith, executive director of Leadership Santa Cruz County, has resigned from the position he held for four years.

He plans to launch a new training center for the Ammonia Safety and Training Institute.

David Pais, chair of the leadership board, said Smith helped make the program on the top leadership training programs in the state.

"Under Gary's direction, we have far more applicants to the program than we can accommodate," Pais said.

The board of the leadership group has started searching for Smith's replacement.

WATSONVILLE

Library offers 'sneak peak'

The new city library at the Civic Plaza won't open until April 14, but people can get a first glimpse of the facility Saturday.

The "sneak peak" of the first floor of the two-story library will be after a book brigade, in which volunteers will form a human chain to help move part of the collection from the old building at 310 Union St. to the new one at 375 Main St.

Most of the books have been moved by professionals, but library staff aims to generate excitement for the new site with the symbolic brigade.

Volunteers should start lining up for the brigade at 8:30 a.m.

For information, call 768-3400.

COUNTY

Two districts OK interim budgets

Despite the state's anticipated budget cuts, the Live Oak and San Lorenzo Valley Unified school districts have approved positive certifications for recent interim budget reports, which estimate revenue and expenses through the rest of this year and the next two years.

But officials warn the districts could be in trouble in two years if revenues don't go up. They said a 7 percent revenue limit reduction proposed by the governor for the next two years will cause them to deficit spend beginning next year, but each will be able to maintain a 3 percent reserve mandated by the county.

If the state does not restore revenue, San Lorenzo's chief business official, Edith Henden, said the district's contingency reserve of $2.2 million would dwindle to $1.2 million in 2008-09 and $46,000 in 2009-2010. Live Oak Superintendent David Paine said the district will have a projected deficit $631,000 by 2009-2010 if funding isn't restored.

APTOS

Celebration honors Above the Line

Friends of Above the Line -- Group Home Society are invited to a reception to honor the facility's 31 years of community service.

Speakers will be county residents Eleanor Wasson, author of "28,000 Martinis and Counting: A Century of Learning," and Annie Morhauser, creator of Annieglass.

The event will be Saturday in Aptos. Those interested in attending should call 462-9303.