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Watsonville
September 10, 2025

Holiday Lights returns to Fairgrounds Nov. 25

WATSONVILLE—Work is underway at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in preparation for the annual Holiday Lights drive-thru light show. Born out of the 2020 Covid lockdowns as a way for the community to celebrate the season safely, the event invites families to drive though colorful...

Ceiba charter school, city face lawsuit

Ceiba College Preparatory Academy
A group of Watsonville residents who live near Ceiba College Preparatory Academy have filed a lawsuit against the school, the City of Watsonville and the company that owns the land. The lawsuit states that the City Council erred in February when it approved a zoning...

Store hands out 8,200 pounds of chicken to Second Harvest

second harvest food bank staff of life smart chicken
WATSONVILLE—Second Harvest Food Bank’s efforts to aid Pajaro flood victims received a boost Wednesday when Staff of Life Natural Foods and Smart Chicken donated more than four tons of chicken.  With the Smart Giving Program, Staff of Life Natural Foods and Smart Chicken donated over...

Seacliff State Beach altered ‘significantly’

seacliff state beach chris spohrer zach friend dawn addis jimmy panetta john laird
SEACLIFF—The tidal surge that ravaged Seacliff State Beach on Jan. 5 destroyed much of the park’s protective sea wall, all but destroyed the campground and ravaged the pier so severely that the entire structure is “actively failing” and likely beyond repair. That was the message...

Leaders celebrate Pajaro River Levee funding

pajaro river levee mark strudley alex padilla luis alejo zoe lofgren jimmy panetta
WATSONVILLE—Within the next two or three years, crews will begin work on rebuilding the Pajaro River Levee, giving 100-year flood protection to residents beset by years of devastating floods, and putting an end to a chapter in a South County story most would agree...

Police: Santa Cruz High shooting threat is false

santa cruz high school shooting threat hoax
SANTA CRUZ—Santa Cruz Police and school officials believe that a threat of a shooting at Santa Cruz High School is false, and there have been no reports of anyone injured. SCPD Chief Bernie Escalante said at an early Wednesday afternoon press conference that a call...

North County Fire District welcomes new firefighters, recognizes promotions

north county fire district firefighters
CASTROVILLE—The North County Fire District swore in five new firefighters on Tuesday and held a badge pinning ceremony for three who have recently been promoted. During the ceremony at the Castroville Public Library, five new firefighters who have recently filled vacant positions received their badges:...

Brazen armed burglary at Watsonville pot dispensary

In the wake of a May 25 burglary at his Watsonville cannabis dispensary, Bryce Berryessa installed several new features designed to deter similar crimes from occurring again. According to Watsonville Police Department, 12 armed suspects used an SUV to ram and break open the dispensary’s...

Cabrillo leaders to decide on renaming college

cabrillo college
APTOS—On Nov. 14, the Cabrillo College Governing Board will meet to answer a question that has been vexing Santa Cruz County for two years: should the name of its community college be changed? The effort to possibly change Cabrillo College’s name began in 2020, as...

Photo story: roadwork for College lake pipeline project finished

A work crew hauls a large boring machine out of trench at Riverside Drive and Blackburn Street in Watsonville  Crews have finished the roadwork for the College Lake Integrated Resources Management Project, which will provide a 30-inch water main to transport treated water from a...
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santa cruz county supervisor felipe hernandez

Supervisor Felipe Hernandez – September 2025

As summer concludes and we transition into the fall season, I am pleased to share updates on recent accomplishments and upcoming initiatives in our...