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Watsonville
November 15, 2025

PVUSD trustees mull more than 150 layoffs

In the middle of more than an hour of public comment Wednesday during the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting, Gabriel Barraza—a frequent critic of the district—gave a quote he said is well known in public administration. “Show me your budget, and...

Police looking for Utah woman missing from Rio Del Mar State Beach

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office is looking for Danielle Staley, 35, who was last seen on Nov. 6, around 11:23pm near Rio Del Mar State Beach. New information indicates she may be at risk, and foul play may be involved, SCSO said. She is described...

Watsonville man arrested in sexual assault

A 19-year-old Watsonville man has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting an underage girl.  Christopher Medina Amezquita was arrested in Capitola with help from Capitola Police, the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office. He was booked into Santa Cruz...

A day to honor veterans

The Veterans Day parade begins every year at 10am from St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish, and typically includes an assemblage of former military members from every branch of service, and from wars dating back to WWII.  Led by Watsonville Police and members of the U.S. Naval...

A call for peace

Close to 100 people march through downtown Watsonville Saturday in the 32nd annual Watsonville Peace and Unity March. Staged in Romo Park, the four-hour event featured speakers, information tables, traditional Aztec dances by the White Hawk Dancers, and altars for those lost to street...

Photo story: New lights illuminate downtown

New LED lights have been installed on all trees along Main Street from Riverside Drive to Freedom Boulevard. The previous lights, which covered only three blocks, have been damaged by street growth and vandalism, said Watsonville Parks & Community Services Recreation Supervisor Jessica Beebe....

Federal judge rules that Trump must pay SNAP benefits through March

A federal judge on Thursday ruled that the Trump administration must fund  Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through November for the 42 million people who depend on them. “People have gone without for too long,” said U.S. District Judge John McConnell. “Not making payments...

Noted teen steps in for pesticide protest

Members of the Campaign for Organic & Regenerative Agriculture (CORA) welcomed Miss California’s Teen Jasmine Wu Nov. 1 on a special tour of Pajaro Valley neighborhoods and schools that are surrounded by fields where pesticides are used. Wu, joined by CORA co-founder Adam Scow and...

Work begins on library cafe

Construction has started on a new rooftop cafe at the Watsonville Public Library on Main Street, a $2.7 million project that aims to give patrons a place to read and city residents a new place to grab a cup of coffee. The cafe, slated...

County releases draft plan to regulate BESS facilities

The County of Santa Cruz on Friday released a draft ordinance that would regulate the development of future Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). By crafting the ordinance, the county seeks to maintain local control over where BESS facilities are located, and how they are operated. The...
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Letters to the Editor Nov. 14-20

PVUSD cuts necessary The Pajaro Valley Unified School District is finally being forced to face financial reality. Many of the positions now being eliminated were...

Let them eat cake

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