Nonprofit coalition working for pay equity
APTOS—Nonprofit workers in Santa Cruz County are two times more likely than the general public to require the very social services they help provide.
That’s according to a recent survey conducted by the Human Care Alliance (HCA), a coalition of nonprofit agencies from around the...
Sambrailo sees major growth in sustainable packaging line
WATSONVILLE—When Santa Cruz-based natural foods store Staff of Life opened its second location in Watsonville in March, employees from Sambrailo were pleased to see their products featured front and center.
Fresh, organic vegetables and fruit in the store’s produce aisle were nestled inside Sambrailo’s sustainable...
Second Harvest hosts annual awards dinner
On March 7, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County hosted one of the organization’s most popular events of the year.
Harbor Freight opens doors
Dozens of customers on April 6 were browsing the aisles of Harbor Freight, Watsonville’s newest hardware store.
Pajaro Valley Public Cemetery District running out of space
WATSONVILLE—Major work is underway at the Valley Public Cemetery to make way for hundreds of garden crypts.
The move is part of the Pajaro Valley Public Cemetery District’s needed expansion to create more land for burials, said Bob Tanner, Pajaro Valley Public Cemetery District Board...
‘McLaren’ of racing bikes manufacturing in Pajaro
PAJARO—In a factory centered in a rural stretch of Pajaro, a small team of workers and engineers was busy one Tuesday afternoon hand-building a new line of cross-country racing bicycles they hope one day will be used by Olympic athletes.
The work was happening in...
Vintage houseware store opens downtown
WATSONVILLE—The historic Derpich Building in downtown Watsonville is coming alive once again after being acquired by two sisters with a big vision.
Jennifer Santillana and Tabitha Stroup found the property for rent when strolling down Main Street. Stroup, owner of Friend in Cheeses Jam Co....
Return to recycling produces long lines in Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—A huge line of vehicles is almost constant now in front of A&S Metals on West Beach Street.
It’s one of few spots the public can cash in its recyclables, which, for some, have been piling up around the house since the novel coronavirus shuts...
Beer Mule opens in Watsonville
The owners of Beer Mule were hoping for an easy “soft opening” when they announced their first night via Instagram on Saturday.
Tight market, recent disasters put strain on local home buyers
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—For the past few years, local real estate agents have seen a drastic dip in inventory of homes in Santa Cruz County. And with the ongoing pandemic and recent wildfires that destroyed close to 1,000 homes in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the...
Missed opportunities prove costly for Aptos in loss to King City...
At times, all it takes is one or two lucky plays for a team to catch momentum at the right time.
That wasn’t the case...






















