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 ice cream shop opens
A new ice cream shop has opened in Watsonville that offers a high-end brand of ice cream popular in Mexico.
New pastry shop opens in downtown Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—A new bakery that offers a dazzling and colorful line of pastries, cakes, fancy cookies, cupcakes and more has recently opened in downtown Watsonville.
Ricarmi Panaderia y Pasteleria at 11 East Fifth St. is the realization of a longtime dream for Ricardo Lopez and Armida...
Rolling Hills garden comes to life
WATSONVILLE—A long-neglected garden at Rolling Hills Middle School was brought back to life Thursday thanks to the volunteer efforts of the Watsonville company K&D Landscaping.
Armed with a host of tools and dozens of starter plants, the crew tore into the hard-packed soil as part...
Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore moving to downtown Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Planning Commission at its Tuesday meeting unanimously approved an application from Habitat For Humanity to fill a vacant portion of a large building on the 500 block of Main Street.
Formerly home to a bounce house business, the 555 Main St. location adjacent...
New laundromat opens in East Lake Village
A new laundromat has opened in the East Lake Village Shopping Center.
Owner Robert Ruiz said Laundry Room features 30 driers and 35 heavy-duty washing machines that can handle from two to eight loads (80 pounds) of wash.
The 2,000-square-foot facility, which replaces a former laundromat...
Granite Construction celebrates 100 years
WATSONVILLE—It has been one century since Granite Construction was founded, and since then it has become a construction juggernaut, with subsidiaries throughout the U.S. and projects that include dams, interstate highways, airport runways and skyscrapers.
The company celebrated its centennial birthday on June 23 at...
Nonprofit helping the community help itself
APTOS—In her more than two decades of working with nonprofit organizations, C.J. Runyon spent eight years with Walu International, which among other things helps provide hand-washing stations to rural communities in Papua New Guinea and Nicaragua, where poor sanitation leads to a myriad of...
John Bargetto launches new venture at Corralitos’ Regan Vineyards
For the past 30 years, Bargetto Winery, one of California’s oldest wineries, has grown grapes at Regan Estate Vineyards, a plot in Corralitos overlooking the Pajaro Valley.
With 40 of the property’s 53 acres planted, Regan is one of the largest and most diverse of...
Two dispensaries receive Planning Commission approval
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville will soon see its first cannabis dispensaries set up shop after two businesses received planning commission approval at Tuesday night’s virtual meeting.
Berryessa Holdings, LLC and Charlie Mike, Inc. both got the green light by a unanimous vote. The former will serve customers at...
‘Catz storm back to win first-ever NorCal Championship | Boys soccer
The ‘Catz’s mystique is back, ladies and gentlemen.
The Watsonville High boys’ soccer team made history Saturday evening after winning their first-ever NorCal Championship in...






















