Giant local beer distributor has small beginnings
George Couch was an ambitious 25-year-old when he came to Watsonville in 1973 and negotiated a deal to purchase a small Anheuser-Busch distributorship. It would not stay small for long.
His company Couch Distributing, which he runs with his brother Geoff, has since 1973 delivered...
New electric supply store opens in Watsonville
Platt celebrated its new store on 2 Hangar Way in Watsonville with a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday.
Local financial planner gives advice on managing money in 2020
WATSONVILLE—For many, the New Year feels like a fresh start. Resolutions are written and promises made to make big changes for the future.
And most of these decisions—whether it’s traveling more or starting a membership at a local gym—have one thing in common: they all...
Local trainers offer fresh approach to health and fitness
It has been 13 years since Jaimi Jansen opened the first location of Santa Cruz Core, an integrated wellness center in downtown Santa Cruz.
At that time, Jansen was just 26 years old and planning to eventually go to medical school. But as the business...
What should Watsonville look like in 2040? Voters might get a say in 2022
WATSONVILLE—A group of about 25 farmers, environmentalists and community leaders gathered at the Watsonville Nature Center on July 8 to officially kick off a campaign to renew a landmark Watsonville ballot measure passed in 2002.
The Committee for Planned Growth and Farmland Protection recently filed...
Santa Cruz Cider Company holding grand opening Saturday
The Apple City Cider Tasting Room, located at 65 Hangar Way (next to Elkhorn Slough Brewing Co.), will officially open to the public with a special grand opening event.
Welcome sign gets major update
WATSONVILLE—New metal signs were installed Wednesday on the “Welcome to Watsonville” signboard on Main Street.
The move, headed up by the Sons of Italy, the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture and the Watsonville Woman’s Club, was designed to update the large wood signboard...
Martinelli’s among brands searching for safer bottle cap options
WATSONVILLE—When the nonprofit Defend Our Health tested bottle caps from 141 beverage brands, they found potentially harmful chemicals in more than a third of them. Two Martinelli’s products were among these brands, but the Watsonville-based apple juice and cider company says it is now...
Local winery honors Watsonville legend “One-Eyed Charley”
If you’ve ever strolled through Pioneer Cemetery in Watsonville, you might have come across the final resting place of Charley Darkey Parkhurst, a stagecoach driver, farmer and rancher who has become a local legend since their death in 1879.
Born Charlotte Darkey Parkhurst, Charley was...
Groundwork moves ahead for new warehouse
Work continues on the new massive beer and restaurant supply warehouse just off of Highway 1 (between Riverside Drive and Green Valley Road) on the Manabe-Ow property in Watsonville.
Approved by the Watsonville City Council in March, the 155,847-square-foot, two-story industrial warehouse is still in...
PVUSD board to mull ‘stay-away letter’ for Medina
Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board Trustee Gabe Medina could be restricted from entering the Pajaro Valley High School campus after a confrontation with...





















