Local News

People navigating the criminal legal system are often right at the cusp of relief.  With the Aug. 20 launch of the BRIDGE Foundation—a Santa Cruz-based nonprofit that uplifts adults and children navigating the criminal legal system—the divide separating them and a new future will narrow.  Edgar...

The company behind a controversial battery energy storage project near Watsonville has changed, but plans to seek state approval for the facility—and the opposition surrounding it—remain. Chicago-based Invenergy has acquired the proposed Seahawk Energy Storage Project at 90 Minto Road from New Leaf Energy and...

Santa Cruz County officials are preparing for winter weather as federal forecasters call for a potentially strong El Niño this fall and winter. The county has updated its El Niño resource webpage with information aimed at helping residents prepare for severe weather, including heavy rain,...

The leasing office for Cabrillo College’s Costa Vista student housing development is now open, and college officials say interest is already strong. Cabrillo College President Jenn Capps said Tuesday that staff have processed more than 300 interest forms and 30 leasing applications for the development,...

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation intended to speed up work on the Pajaro River flood protection project by giving the agency overseeing the work more options for awarding construction contracts. Senate Bill 1055, authored by state Sen. John Laird, expands the contracting methods available...

Monterey County Sheriff’s investigators are searching for a 38-year-old man accused of sexually abusing and impregnating his teenage daughter, who is herself wanted on suspicion of murdering the newborn baby she gave birth to earlier this month. Investigators say Sergio Galvez Perez is the biological...

About two dozen nurses and doctors rallied outside Watsonville Community Hospital Monday, calling on hospital administrators to reopen the neonatal intensive care unit that has been closed since July 10. The informational picket organized by the California Nurses Association focused on the hospital’s decision to...

Legislation aimed at strengthening California’s protections against new offshore oil drilling is headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom after passing both houses of the state Legislature. Assembly Bill 1448, authored by Assemblymember Gregg Hart, passed the Assembly on Aug. 27, one day after clearing the Senate. The...

Three artworks have been chosen to be installed in the traffic circle at the intersection of Clifford Avenue and Pennsylvania Drive.  City staff received an application and proposal for a new public art spearheaded by an anonymous donor. The donor, a Watsonville resident, has commissioned...