Local News

WATSONVILLE—A new outdoor mural is taking shape thanks to three local artists and the backing of a business owner at the heavily traveled intersection of East Lake Avenue and Brennan Street. Jessica Carrasco, Mateo Gonzalez (aka Primo) and Paul De Worken started work on the...

SANTA CRUZ—A group of high-ranking medical care providers and officials on Thursday gathered at Santa Cruz’s Emeline health complex, a press conference convened to get a single message out to the public. “We want to drive home the importance today of everyone eligible in our...

WATSONVILLE—Willy Elliott-McCrea, who has led Second Harvest Food Bank for more than three decades, will retire in July 2022, the food bank announced Thursday. McCrea started as a driver for the center in 1978 and was promoted to director 10 years later. Under his tenure,...

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Strawberry Festival will return on Aug. 8, a year after the pandemic forced the cancelation of the event in 2020. With it comes all the usual excitement—strawberry treats, live entertainment, vendors and more—as well as the selection of this year’s official poster...

WATSONVILLE—Sierra Azul Nursery and Gardens in Watsonville is once again brimming with art as Pajaro Valley Arts’ annual “Sculpture Is” exhibit returns for the 15th year. Installed in late May and officially opened on June 7, the popular outdoor exhibit will be up through October....

SANTA CRUZ—Highway 1 in Santa Cruz, between Morrissey Boulevard and 41st Avenue, was closed for more than 90 minutes in both directions due to “police activity” on the La Fonda Avenue overcrossing, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office said. Just before 3pm multiple callers told...

WATSONVILLE—The Monterey Bay Birding Festival has been mothballed for the second year in a row due to pandemic complications. Despite most levels of society, from schools, businesses, services and government, edging back toward normal operations, the festival—in its 17th year—couldn’t get off the ground. “The festival...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Community Hospital has a new chief executive officer.  Steven Salyer, who has 14 years of leadership experience in hospitals throughout the U.S., started the position on July 6. The hospital announced the move on July 14. Salyer previously served as chief operating officer at UP...

Watsonville firefighters respond to a small fire in the Resetar Residential Hotel on east Lake Avenue Wednesday, which forced the evacuation of dozens of residents and closed East Lake Avenue for a short time. According to Watsonville Fire Battalion Chief Corey Schaffer, the fire...

WATSONVILLE—A man died Tuesday evening after a big rig and small car collided on San Juan Road on the outskirts of Watsonville. Monterey County Sheriff/Coroner’s Office Cmdr. Derrel Simpson identified the victim as Jose Avila Rios, 36, of Salinas. California Highway Patrol officer Jessica Madueño said...