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...
Miches and Ceviches grows from humble, online beginnings
WATSONVILLE—A little more than a year ago, Perla Pineda said she had a thought in the back of her mind that would not let her get a good night’s rest.
“I felt like something else was calling me,” she said.
She remembers waking up in the...
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...
REI to open new store in Santa Cruz
SANTA CRUZ—REI, an outdoor retail business with 168 stores in 39 states, plans to open a location in Santa Cruz, the company announced on Feb. 18.
The 22,622-square-foot store will be located at 1660 Commercial Way, the giant warehouse that formerly held Toys “R” Us....
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...
Large Watsonville housing development seeks extension
WATSONVILLE—The developer behind a 150-unit housing project off Ohlone Parkway is asking the Watsonville City Council for a one-year extension on the project’s approval.
First approved by the council in 2018 as Sunshine Vista, Hillcrest Estates was set to transform an 11-acre junkyard at 511...
Graniterock, local activists launch huge solar project
AROMAS—The community of Aromas is home to about 2,650 residents. The rural area is nestled in the juncture between Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties, and attracts a variety of people, including many retirees, artists, farmers, nature lovers and activists.
But is also home...
New business to come to old Kmart building in Watsonville
A little more than two years after the former Kmart store on Freedom Boulevard closed its doors, the space will soon have a new tenant.
Vallarta Supermarket, which has more than 50 locations throughout California—the most recent one in Salinas—will occupy half of the 100,000-square-foot...
K&D Landscaping earns top honors
K&D Landscaping Inc. of Watsonville took home a number of awards at the annual California Landscape Contractors Association Convention in San Diego on Nov. 12.
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...






















