Briefs: Rose education day at fairgrounds
Learning roses in the garden
The Monterey Bay Rose Society will host a Meeting and Education Day at the Display Rose Garden at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2661 East Lake Ave., on Saturday at 10am.
The event gives the public hands-on experience in the garden...
PVUSD trustees approve changes to art instruction
After delaying the discussion for two months, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved changes to the way its science and art programs are delivered in elementary school classrooms.
Under the proposal, which was presented in June by then-Superintendent Michelle...
Census: Homeless population declines, except in Watsonville
A census of Santa Cruz County’s homeless population taken in February shows a 21.5% decline since the last count in 2021.
Still, one in every 146 Santa Cruz County residents still do not have access to housing, according to the 2023 Homeless Count and Survey,...
Capitola Police investigating hoax bomb threat at New Brighton
UPDATED, AUG. 10:
Capitola Police are investigating after someone called in a false bomb threat to New Brighton Middle School, which prompted an evacuation of all students and the cancelation of classes on the first day back from summer break.
Police found no devices during a...
Watsonville murder suspect arrested after standoff
Watsonville Police on Tuesday arrested a murder suspect after an hours-long standoff in a strawberry field near Trafton and McGowan roads, just outside Pájaro.
Hector Rocha, 44, of Watsonville, has been charged with first-degree murder. He was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail, where he...
Watsonville Police search for suspect in Monday night homicide
UPDATE, AUG. 9: Watsonville murder suspect arrested after standoff
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
Watsonville Police are looking for a suspect after a man was shot to death Monday night on the 100 block of West Beach Street.
At about 8:45pm, officers responded to the area for reports of a...
Volunteers fill a mountain of backpacks during Stuff the Bus event
Tommy Moffitt of Santa Cruz was proud of himself Saturday morning, a big smile on his face as he carried six backpacks—one on his back, one on his front and two each on his outstretched arms—through Kaiser Permanente Arena to be filled with school...
Sheriff’s Office: Look out for scammers posing as officials
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to beware of a scam in which someone pretending to be a sheriff’s employee asks for payment for non-existent infractions.
The department has received several complaints over the past two weeks about someone claiming to be...
PHOTOS: Watsonville Strawberry Festival returns
The Watsonville Strawberry Festival kicked off Friday downtown for its three-day run. The annual event continues Sunday from 11am to 7pm, featuring strawberry-infused treats, live music, a carnival and more.
Man killed in Watsonville shooting
A man was killed Friday morning when he was shot multiple times on the 800 block of McKenzie Avenue.
According to Watsonville Police spokeswoman Michelle Pulido, dispatchers received multiple 911 calls about gunshots being heard in the neighborhood at about 10am.
Officers responded and found a...
Rainbow Conference to support LGBTQ youth
The Safe Schools Project of Santa Cruz County is hosting its annual Rainbow Conference on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Watsonville High School.
The event is...