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Watsonville
September 18, 2025

Fire, natural resources officials: prepare for a heavy fire season

California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force cocoanut grove seminar
In 2020, the CZU fires ravaged the Santa Cruz Mountains, destroying 1,490 structures and an untold number of trees. A little more than two years later, many of those downed trees washed down streams into the ocean and, during the storms in January and February,...

Surfers celebrate Juneteenth in Santa Cruz

paddle out Juneteenth Cowell's beach
About 150 people plunged into the Pacific Saturday at Cowell’s Beach for the third annual Liberation Paddle Out celebration of Juneteenth. With the aid of around two dozen experienced surfers and other supporters, the crowd fitted themselves with wetsuits, took in a brief surf lesson...

PHOTO: Firefighters douse Ohlone Parkway blaze

ohlone parkway fire
Watsonville firefighters chase down hot spots in a wild land fire that broke out Monday at 4:50pm on Ohlone Parkway at Main Street. Division Chief Corey Schaefer said firefighters got a quick handle on the flames that tore through dry brush but did not...

PHOTOS: Watsonville honors all who served

veterans day parade downtown watsonville
Veterans march along Main Street in Watsonville Saturday during Veterans Day ceremonies. About 60 vets, on foot or aboard several early day fire engines, left St. Patrick's Church and made their way to the Mello Center where they were greeted by a host of...

Woman seriously hurt in Highway 129 crash

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A 31-year-old Hollister woman was seriously injured when her car plowed head-on into a big rig on Highway 129 early Wednesday. California Highway Patrol officer Israel Murillo said the woman was driving a red 2006 Kia Sportage east on Highway 129 east of Murphy Road...

Briefs: Easter Egg hunt; Selena tribute; Cabrillo opens ‘Curious Incident’

agricultural history project easter egg hunt
Selena tribute set for Saturday A tribute to the late singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez is slated for Saturday in Romo Park in downtown Watsonville. Put on by Arte del Corazon, the free, five-hour event will include music by DJ Moi, Mariachi Illusion, activities for all ages, Selena...

Briefs: Skillicorn BBQ; Elks Lodge car show

skillicorn bbq
Skillicorn BBQ benefits Scouts The Skillicorn BBQ returns Aug. 23 at the Corralitos Padres Hall, 35 Browns Valley Road, beginning at 5pm. The event is a major fundraiser to support the Scouts BSA programs in the Greater Pajaro Valley of the Loma Prieta District. Since its...

Gavilan, Cabrillo art departments present exhibit

gavilan cabrillo college gilroy center for the arts ceramics exhibit
Classes from Gavilan and Cabrillo colleges have joined forces to present a ceramics exhibit at the Gilroy Center for the Arts. The exhibit runs through May at 7341 Monterey St. in downtown Gilroy, with a reception on May 19 from 5-8pm. Students from the two colleges,...

Deputy recovering after being shot in Salinas

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The Monterey County Sheriff’s deputy who was shot in a nine-hour standoff with an armed man in Salinas last week was released from the hospital over the weekend and is now recovering at home. On May 31, Deputy Jesse Grant was shot in the arm...

Work underway to strengthen levees and prepare for winter rains

pajaro river levee repair
Next year, work crews will kick off a $400 million project to rebuild the levees in South Santa Cruz and North Monterey counties and keep the rivers and creeks from escaping and devastating the surrounding communities. That long-anticipated work will be a relief to the...
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Aptos continues to grind despite rocky start | High school flag...

To be the best, one must beat the best. Aptos might not be there quite just yet as their 2-4 overall record indicates.  However, third-year head...