State seized enough fentanyl to potentially kill North America, twice
CALIFORNIA—In 2022, authorities in California say they seized 28,765 pounds of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.
The Department of Drug Enforcement said it is enough to kill hundreds of millions of...
‘Men in Nature/Taking Off’ exhibit opens at Studio Judy G
A new art show has opened at Studio Judy G, 430 Main St., in downtown Watsonville. “Men in Nature/Taking Off” is a joint show of paintings by Judy Gittelsohn and photographs by her cousin, Danny Georges.
They grew up together in Portland, Ore., and spent...
13-year-old stopped with gun in Watsonville
A traffic stop on a driver who ran a red light Monday ended with Watsonville Police arresting four people, and seizing a loaded gun from a 13-year-old, 92 grams of cocaine and nearly 20 grams of marijuana.
Michelle Pulido, spokeswoman for Watsonville Police, said the...
PV Arts opens ‘Emergence’ show
“Emergence,” the latest exhibition at Pajaro Valley Arts, has opened at the Pajaro Valley Gallery, 37 Sudden St.
The exhibit showcases 33 artists with more than 100 works in a wealth of mediums.
Based on the definition of emergence—“coming into being or prominence”—the artwork features new...
Photo and video story: truck into hydrant causes ‘geyser’
Water surges through the asphalt along the 300-block of Ford Street Monday afternoon where a man reportedly ran into a fire hydrant with his Chevy Silverado pickup.
Watsonville Police said the man struck the hydrant just after 5pm, triggering a water main break beneath...
PHOTO: Bomb washes ashore at Pajaro Dunes
A military-grade ordnance is shown on the beach at Pajaro Dunes in Watsonville. The device washed ashore during recent heavy seas on New Year’s Eve, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office said. As a precaution, the Sheriff's bomb team responded, deemed it safe, and...
Street racing suspect found with drugs
An 18-year-old man was arrested late Tuesday after Watsonville Police caught him street racing.
Michelle Pulido, spokeswoman for WPD, said a night shift officer was patrolling on the 500 block on Main Street when he spotted two cars racing. He was able to catch up...
Second phase of Atkinson Lane housing project takes shape
The new 80-unit housing development at 78 Atkinson Lane in Watsonville by MidPen Housing is moving skyward.
Situated between Atkinson Lane and Brewington Avenue, the development is the second phase of the nearby Pippin Orchards.
The project, part of a multiphase development plan approved some two...
Event focuses on farmworker safety
About 700 people packed the Mello Center in Watsonville Saturday afternoon for Harvesting Equity, an event where safety, living wage contracts, housing and immigration reform for farmworkers took center stage.
At the podium were Mireya Gómez-Contreras, Ann Lopez and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta.
To launch...
Grant expands Lift Line services
Community Bridges’ Lift Line transportation program is expanding its door-to-door services to all Santa Cruz County residents with disabilities thanks to a state grant from the California Public Utilities Commission Transportation Network Company’s Access for All program. It will be a first-of-its-kind program without...
Demolishing the past for a new Starbucks
A piece of Watsonville’s history was torn to the ground Monday as a wrecking crew demolished the Taqueria Mi Tierra restaurant on Freedom Boulevard.
The...