New mural adorns County’s new Behavioral Health facility
WATSONVILLE—A new mural against an exterior wall of the new Adult and Children’s Behavioral Health facility in the County complex on Freedom Boulevard is nearing completion.
Watsonville artist Bruce Harman said he started the massive work at the end of August and has squeezed in...
County still weeks away from opening restaurants for dine-in service
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Though some rural counties are allowing restaurants to open for dine-in service, Santa Cruz County officials are still several days away from giving their restaurateurs the green light.
That’s according to county spokesman Jason Hoppin, who on Tuesday said testing and contact tracing...
Capitola Olive Garden aims for Dec. 17 opening
Final touches are underway at the Olive Garden Italian Kitchen restaurant, the first such location for the chain business in Santa Cruz County.
Wargin Wines moving production from Watsonville to Gilroy
After nine years, Wargin Wines will be moving its production and tasting room out of Watsonville—at least for the time being.
The winery, which was established in December of 2012, was one of the first wineries to settle in the Pajaro Valley in recent years....
Cooper family buys two dealerships
WATSONVILLE—The family that owns Chevrolet Watsonville has purchased two new neighboring dealerships, giving it the lion’s share of the sales on Auto Center Drive.
The Cooper family closed the deal on Wednesday for Monterey Bay Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Mid Bay Ford Lincoln.
The family...
The Slough Brewing Collective opens for to-go orders
WATSONVILLE—For the owners of The Slough Brewing Collective in Watsonville, beer is much more than just a drink, or a lucrative business—it’s a community.
The brewery, formerly Elkhorn Slough Brewing Company, even reflects this in its motto: “Beer is people.”
“Beer is a way of bringing...
Dominican Hospital gets $1M donation for workers
SANTA CRUZ—Dignity Health Dominican Hospital announced Monday that it has received a $1 million donation, which will be dispersed to hospital employees who have helped fight the coronavirus.
The anonymous donor is a “long-time friend” of the hospital who wanted to thank the workers specifically...
Business Showcase returns to Aptos
Food, gadgets, cars, safety demonstrations and more will all be under one roof, and out in the parking lot, during the annual Business Showcase.
Gov. Newsom announces assistance for Covid-impacted businesses
SACRAMENTO—Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced that the state will provide temporary tax relief for eligible businesses that have been impacted by Covid-19 restrictions.
Under the plan, taxpayers filing less than $1 million in sales tax receive an automatic three-month income tax extension. It also...
Letters to the Editor, Jan. 23–29
Passenger rail price estimates too high
One can never convince me that restoring the Santa Cruz Branch rail line for passenger rail would cost an...





















