Local News

CENTRAL COAST—Heavy rains drenched the Central Coast at the start of the week, but forecasters say wet weather has largely drifted south, opening the curtain for warmer, sunny days. While areas of the Central Coast dealt with isolated flooding,...

WATSONVILLE—More than 10 percent of the $349 billion set aside for the nation’s small businesses struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic has already been claimed as of Monday morning, according to National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow.

Since the County of Santa Cruz issued a shelter-in-place order March 17, local artists have faced uncertain futures. With venues and schools closed and events either canceled or postponed, individuals and organizations are now out of work and...

A construction crew continues was at work on a lengthy underground sewer project along Freedom Boulevard Friday in Watsonville. • Rain fell most of the night and into Monday morning around the Central Coast. Early...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The County of Santa Cruz on Monday announced that it will use two facilities to care for 100 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 – and need to be isolated – but are not critically ill.

A painting crew has been busy adding a fresh coat of paint and a new look Thursday and Friday to the long-standing Beach Street Cafe on West Beach Street. Help is on the way for small businesses hit by...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville police on Thursday arrested a man for allegedly burglarizing a business that is making hand sanitizer for the ongoing coronavirus epidemic. Dustin Dean Davis, 47, was charged with burglary, looting during a state of emergency and violating the...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The shelter-in-place order imposed on March 31 by Santa Cruz County Health Officer Gail Newel allows activities such as walking, hiking, bicycling and running. Anyone participating in those activities must comply with social distancing requirements, and large gatherings are prohibited.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel on Friday recommended that everyone cover their mouth and nose with cloth when leaving their homes to protect themselves from coronavirus. The guidance, which comes from the California Department...

WATSONVILLE—A man suspected of at least three burglaries in the Watsonville area was arrested Tuesday after allegedly breaking into a truck and stealing tools. Benjamin Sanchez, 48, faces three counts of felony burglary. He...