Local News

WATSONVILLE—Starting an event centered around comics, art, fantasy and the collectibles that those realms inspire was something Francisco “Paco” Estrada had first dreamed up when he was elected into the Watsonville City Council in 2018. The idea was, Estrada says, to give kids—and adults—a safe...

The extensive slough system that runs through the heart of the Pajaro Valley has become a cornerstone for local recreation, wildlife viewing, education and research.  These wetlands are home to various species of animals and plants, many rare and endangered. They help replenish groundwater, buffer...

WATSONVILLE—Two relative newcomers to Watsonville politics will face off for the vacant District 2 seat in a special election slated for Dec. 7. Francisco “Frank” Barba and Vanessa Quiroz-Carter turned in the paperwork required to run for office just before the deadline on Monday evening....

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—A man in his mid-30s died of Covid-19-related complications on Sept. 14, Santa Cruz County Public Health announced Tuesday. The man, County spokesperson Jason Hoppin said in a press release, was the 212th Covid-related death in the county. He was not vaccinated against...

WATSONVILLE—Although Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Manager Dave Kegebein had not yet sat down and pored over the attendance numbers from the weekend’s County Fair, he was confident in saying Tuesday that this year’s event was “absolutely the best Fair ever.” “Everything went really smoothly and...

WATSONVILLE—An attorney for a business that has operated at Watsonville Municipal Airport for 56 years has filed a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration against the city of Watsonville and the airport. In the filing, attorney Glynn Falcon says that the airport has not fully...

LIVE OAK—A Live Oak woman who reportedly drove her car off a cliff into the sea with her two children on Sept. 17 is now facing attempted homicide and child endangerment charges, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said. The 38-year-old woman, who has not...

Karina Ahumada waves a Mexican flag next to a 1964 Cadillac owned by Rene Sanchez on Brennan Street Thursday, which was Mexican Independence Day. In Mexican history, the day commemorates the moment when Father Hidalgo, a priest and leader, called for Mexico's liberation from...

WATSONVILLE—The Santa Cruz County Fair continues to attract crowds as the weekend approaches.  Thursday was Education Day, with school groups enjoying the event in the morning before the general public was allowed in at noon. The Livestock Tent hosted the Dairy Goat Show, and Monster...

An unvaccinated man in his 40s with underlying health conditions died this week from Covid-19, Santa Cruz County spokesman Jason Hoppin announced. The death was the county’s 211th Covid-related death. The County Public Health Department encourages everyone who is eligible for a free Covid-19 vaccine to...