Healthy grapes, less regulations spell good news for local wineries
After a year of ups and downs, things are looking good for wineries in the Pajaro Valley. That is according to two long-standing wineries, both nestled in the Pleasant Valley area between Watsonville and Aptos.
Alfaro Family Vineyard-Winery was first established in 1997 by Richard...
Two cannabis dispensaries seek Watsonville Planning Commission’s OK
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Planning Commission will review plans for two proposed cannabis dispensaries at its July 13 meeting.
Bryce Berryessa of Berryessa Holdings, LLC, and Jason Sweatt of Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance, Inc. are both expected to present to the commission at its monthly virtual meeting.
Berryessa...
Supporting small businesses
For the first time, the East Lake Village Shopping Center will attempt to draw in shoppers for Small Business Saturday with a variety of deals and activities.
Historic SeaBreeze Tavern demolished
RIO DEL MAR—Nearly 11 months after a fire gutted the historic Seabreeze Tavern and severely weakened the structure, demolition of the building began Tuesday.
The work is being conducted by a private contractor, Santa Cruz County spokesperson Jason Hoppin said. It is not clear what...
Holiday planning? Order your meat now
If specialty meats will be on your table during the upcoming holidays, now is the time to get your order in at two local meat businesses, Freedom Meat Lockers and Corralitos Market & Sausage Co.
Watsonville Yoga Dance & Healing Arts embraces new location
After a year and a half of pandemic challenges, Watsonville Yoga Dance & Healing Arts is once again finding its footing.
The business is settling into its new location (734 East Lake Ave. #16) while expanding its programming and services for children and adults both...
Sushi Qu moves; East Lake evolving
WATSONVILLE—Sushi Qu, a popular sushi restaurant in East Lake Village Shopping Center, opened Tuesday in its new space just a few doors away from where they had operated for almost five years.
Owner Jannie Park said she was excited about the new location that will...
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...
METRO pledges to improve safety
SANTA CRUZ—In an effort to meet public transit safety standards set during the Covid-19 pandemic, officials at Santa Cruz METRO at a Wednesday press conference showcased the safety and precautionary measures they have put in place.
Santa Cruz County Supervisor John Leopold and METRO Board...
Street Scene prepares for move
Street Scene’s last day on Main Street is Feb. 1 before it moves to downtown, making way for a major retail project at one of the city’s busiest intersections.
PVUSD to slash elementary assistant principals
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...





















