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March 28, 2024

Pair of quakes roll through Central Coast, Bay Area

HOLLISTER — A 4.8 magnitude earthquake shook the Central Coast this afternoon, just two days shy of the 30th anniversary of the infamous Loma Prieta earthquake of Oct. 17, 1989.  The quake hit at 12:43 p.m. near Tres Pinos and Hollister. Residents from Salinas to King City...

Watsonville’s Filipino community invited to share family history

WATSONVILLE—For many residents, January 1930 represents a dark time in the history of Watsonville. For five days, hundreds of armed white men took to the city’s streets, targeting and beating Filipino-American farmworkers who they claimed were stealing their jobs and women. The riots came to a head...

Watsonville’s Adam Bolaños Scow challenging congressman Panetta in primary

WATSONVILLE — With Watsonville’s City Plaza as the backdrop, Democrat Adam Bolaños Scow announced Tuesday he will challenge current U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta in next year’s primary election. A longtime advocate and strategist for environmental issues, Scow said he plans to focus his campaign on...

Remembering Loma Prieta: Quake left Watsonville in ruin, united residents

WATSONVILLE—When the Loma Prieta earthquake struck at 5:04 p.m. on Oct. 17, 1989, Second Harvest Food Bank CEO Willy Elliott-McCrea was in Watsonville, talking about disaster preparation. It was a strange bit of irony, and it took the presence of then-Watsonville Fire Chief Gary Smith...

Accused child molester found dead

SANTA CRUZ — The former Santa Cruz neurosurgeon who allegedly molested numerous children in crimes caught on videotape was found dead Sunday morning. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s office believes he committed suicide. James Kohut, 59, was in custody since May 2017 in lieu of $7.5...

Wine event reignites vacant downtown location

WATSONVILLE—The long-vacant Gottschalks building in downtown Watsonville will come to life on Oct. 17 for Uncorked in Downtown, an evening of wine, food and fun put on by Pacific Coast Development.  The event, spearhead by Neva Hansen, will feature wines from Anatum Winery, Wargin Wines,...

Sculpture adorns new columbarium at PV Public Cemetery

WATSONVILLE — A sculpture depicting two intertwining great blue herons now sits atop a new columbarium at Pajaro Valley Public Cemetery. The 12-foot tall sculpture, entitled “Eternal,” was created by local artist and teacher Sean M. Monaghan and three assistants. Monaghan said he was approached last...

Fire ravages Watsonville home

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville firefighters responded to a fire Friday afternoon that seriously damaged a home and displaced one resident. It is unclear what caused the blaze, which started around 1:15 p.m. at 11 Jeanette Way.  Mike Vaz said he has lived in the house more than 30 years. He...

Aptos murder suspect pleads not guilty

amanda owens
SANTA CRUZ—The woman accused of stabbing her husband to death in their home in the Aptos Hills on Aug. 24 was defending herself at the time of the attack, her attorney told reporters Thursday. Amanda Owens, 51, pleaded not guilty to murder charges during a...

Watsonville bans sale of flavored tobacco, e-cigarettes and vapes

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a sweeping ban on the sale of various tobacco products. Starting in late November, the sale of flavored tobacco, e-cigarettes and vapes will be outlawed, and pharmacies operating in city limits will no longer be able to...
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PVUSD trustees approve new superintendent contract

The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday unanimously approved a three-year contract for its new superintendent. Heather Contreras’ contract shows her...