PVPSA CEO Padilla-Chavez named Woman of the Year by Robert Rivas
WATSONVILLE—Assemblymember Robert Rivas has named Erica Padilla-Chavez, the CEO of Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, as Woman of the Year for Assembly District 30.
The March 30 announcement came as part of an annual Women’s History Month observance by the Legislative Women’s Caucus.
“Erica has...
Watsonville City Councilwoman warns: beware of scam
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville City Councilwoman Rebecca Garcia has a warning for her fellow South County residents: beware of scammers posing as PG&E employees.Â
Garcia says she fell victim to a scam and was cheated out of nearly $300.
She recently received a call with a recorded message telling...
‘I don’t want to see more lives taken’: Two arrested in Watsonville shooting
WATSONVILLE—Two 18-year-olds who Watsonville police believe fatally shot another 18-year-old on April 2 were arrested Tuesday morning on murder charges.
Erick DeHaro and Matthew Madriz were charged with first-degree murder. They were booked into Santa Cruz County Jail without bail.
According to Watsonville Police Department spokeswoman...
Watsonville is in the Heart launches digital archive
Hundreds of visitors flocked to the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH) on April 9 to celebrate the launch of a new digital history archive.
The Watsonville is in the Heart (WIITH) Digital Archive aims to preserve the histories and contributions of Filipino-Americans...
New fire station not recommended, executive team gets pay increase
WATSONVILLE—The addition of a third fire station would not significantly improve Watsonville Fire Department’s response time to most neighborhoods, according to a 142-page report presented to the Watsonville City Council at its Tuesday meeting.
Fitch & Associates found that while a third station on the...
Pajaro levee assessment headed to voters
PAJARO—People living in south Santa Cruz County and north Monterey County could soon see Pajaro River’s levee system rebuilt, a long-awaited project that would offer up to 100-year flood protection to the area, and be a comfort to residents who have been beset by...
New development fee will fund public art in Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council approved a new developer fee that it hopes will jump-start an arts renaissance in a city that has for decades struggled to find funding and space for the arts.
If approved at an upcoming second reading, the fee will require developers—both...
$15.2M needed to complete Watsonville Community Hospital purchase
WATSONVILLE—The board tasked with purchasing and overseeing Watsonville Community Hospital told the Santa Cruz County Supervisors Tuesday that they still have to raise roughly $15 million by Aug. 31 to complete the $61.7 million sale.
The Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board of Directors has...
Watsonville City Council appoints Rene Mendez as new city manager
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council appointed Rene Mendez, the current chief executive for the city of Gonzales, as Watsonville’s new city manager during its Tuesday meeting.
Mendez has three decades of experience in state, county and city government and has spent the last 17 years as...
‘Born and Raised in Watsonville’ Scholarship deadlines April 29
WATSONVILLE—Since 2019, local artist Jessica Carrasco has organized the Born and Raised in Watsonville scholarship, aiming to support youth while spreading positivity about her hometown.
The scholarship is funded through sales of Carrasco’s line of Watsonville-themed stickers and other fundraising efforts in the community.
Students can...
Santa Cruz County celebrates with parades
Thousands of people attended Fourth of July parades in Watsonville and Aptos Friday, lining sidewalks aliog main streets to see hundreds of participants. Below...