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Watsonville
March 3, 2026

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...

Local Christmas tree farm celebrates 60 years

ROYAL OAKS—It was the early 1920s when Glenn Church’s great-grandfather, Clinton King, purchased a piece of land in a heavily-wooded area of North Monterey County. Nearly 70 years old at the time, King cleared out the plot—chock full of oak trees—by hand. “Whenever I’m out here...

Iconic Santa Cruz florist expands into East Lake Village

Ferrari Florist Brian Marilyn Piazza
WATSONVILLE—On Dec. 1, the East Lake Shopping Center in Watsonville welcomed its newest addition. Ferrari Florist, located at 928 East Lake Ave., is now the third store for the 74-year-old business in Santa Cruz County.  Five years ago, Brian and Marilyn Piazza noticed that a...

The Chop Shop moving downtown

WATSONVILLE—A popular local barbershop will soon move to downtown Watsonville. The Chop Shop is planning to relocate from the city’s outskirts on Freedom Boulevard to the corner of Main Street and East Lake Avenue, according to owner Gabino Varela. The 471 Main St. location currently houses...

An inflated sense of fun

A Sand City family with a successful bounce-house business there has opened a second location in downtown Watsonville.

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.

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...

Head of local farmers market takes over Pinto Lake City Park

Jesus Madrigal Pinto Lake City Park
WATSONVILLE—A familiar face has stepped in as the new operator of Pinto Lake City Park. Jesus Madrigal, the president of the Watsonville Farmers Market, was recently named concessionaire for the city’s share of Pinto Lake. His company’s vision for the 78-acre park—70 of which are...

Around for 40 years

The Bagelry, situated in three locations in Santa Cruz County, has been a pillar in the restaurant world for the past 40 years. First established in 1977 on Seabright Avenue at Soquel Avenue, the sit-down/take-out eatery has continued to grow, not only wi

Watsonville Hospital announces new CEO

Steven Salyer watsonville hospital
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Community Hospital has a new chief executive officer.  Steven Salyer, who has 14 years of leadership experience in hospitals throughout the U.S., started the position on July 6. The hospital announced the move on July 14. Salyer previously served as chief operating officer at UP...
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‘Catz edge Nueva to capture first-ever CCS championship | Girls soccer

Jackie Cano has been an unstoppable force for the Watsonville girls’ soccer team since the Central Coast Section playoffs began in mid February.  The star...