News

Watsonville Police arrested a man on Jan. 28 for making a bomb threat to a local hospital.  WPD spokeswoman Erika Vazquez said WPD arrested 32-year-old Cody Burns on the 400 block of Hill Avenue after he reportedly “made a bomb threat targeting a local hospital.”  Officers...

Two 17-year-olds have been arrested in connection with an attempted murder following an operation Tuesday. Detectives, with the help of local law enforcement partners, served several search warrants in connection with a late-night shooting on Jan. 19 on the 1500 block of Freedom Boulevard, where...

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a body that was found in an agricultural field near Highway 183 and McFadden Road in the unincorporated area of Salinas. At about 10:40am on Feb. 4, a citizen called to report that they had found a body.  Deputies...

When the 2026-27 school year begins in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, all 17 elementary schools will be without assistant principals. The positions, also referred to as academic coordinators, play an essential role at elementary schools, often handling behavioral issues and other student-centered concerns,...

Watsonville firefighters battle flames erupting from a car in Pajaro Wednesday evening. Capt. Thomas Outzen of North Monterey County Fire said there were no apparent injuries, and that the gas tank appeared to have ruptured in the small sedan, leading to a stubborn and...

James Joseph “Jim” Barsi, who ran his eponymous liquor store on East Lake Avenue for a half-century before selling the business and retiring in 2019, died on Jan. 26. He was 83.  Eddie Casillas said he began working for Barsi when he was 16, and...

Though Super Bowl 60 will take place Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, Watsonville will roll out its own red carpet at Watsonville Municipal Airport this week.  Shaz Roth, CEO of the  Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, said preparations are under way to welcome...

A crew from Community Tree Service removed several large trees and trimmed back several others Monday and Tuesday at Watsonville Plaza as part of phase 1 of the ongoing Plaza Revitalization Project.  Bob Berry of Watsonville Public Works and Utilities, said the removal of some...

Lifelong Watsonville resident and community advocate Elias Gonzalez announced Monday that he is running for 4th District supervisor. He is up against incumbent Felipe Hernandez, who has served on the board of supervisors since 2022. Gonzalez has a long career history in community organizing, working...

Santa Cruz County Sheriff Chris Clark told reporters Thursday that local law enforcement will not cooperate with federal officials if they come to the Central Coast as part of the Trump administration’s hardline immigration policy. Clark spoke at a press conference led by Rep. Jimmy...