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Watsonville
April 21, 2026

Sexually violent predator Michael Cheek will not be placed in Watsonville, Santa Cruz hotels

Editor's note: This story was updated at 10:50am on April 10 with new information. Watsonville officials said Friday that a proposed plan to house a designated sexually violent predator at a Main Street motel has been halted after the property owner withdrew, citing community opposition. The...

Two dead in Hwy. 1 crash

Two people died in a solo-vehicle crash early Saturday morning north of Santa Cruz. The California Highway Patrol said a black 2015 Chrysler 200 was traveling south on Highway 1 around 4am at an undetermined speed. For reasons still under investigation, the Chrysler crossed into...

CHP announces holiday enforcement period

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is ringing in 2026 by launching a New Year’s holiday enforcement period by boosting patrols statewide from 6pm onWednesday, Dec. 31 to 11:59pm Thursday, Jan. 1.  While the time surrounding New Year's Eve is a time for celebration, the CHP...

Suspect arrested in East Lake Avenue attempted murder

A man was arrested Thursday night on the 700 block of Palm Avenue on suspicion of attempted murder. With the help of SWAT officers Watsonville Police tracked down Francisco Aceves, 25, on suspicion of shooting a 42-year-old man at the Sofspra Car Wash on the...

Photo Story: Two-vehicle crash on Center Street

A Watsonville firefighter cleans up at the scene of a two-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon on Center Street in Watsonville.
A Watsonville firefighter cleans up at the scene of a two-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon on Center Street in Watsonville. Watsonville police said the female driver of an Infiniti G 35 was travelling eastbound on Center Street just east of Beck Street around 2:45 pm...

Suspect arrested after stabbing at Santa Cruz Clock Tower

Two people were hospitalized after reports of a stabbing at the Clock Tower in Santa Cruz at around noon on Saturday, according to Santa Cruz police. One suspect was arrested in connection with the incident.  Witnesses at the scene say the incident began after a...

Construction to close Main Street intermittently

Construction work has begun on Main Street, between 5th Street and E. Lake Avenue, which will mean occasional closures, Watsonville officials said. Work will take place from 9am to 3pm, Sept. 2 through Oct. 3. Both northbound and southbound lanes of Main Street will have...

Man arrested in levee death

Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies on Friday arrested a Pajaro man for the murder of Watsonville resident Jesús Alfonso Duarte Figueroa, whose body was found buried along the Pajaro River levee in April. Bernardino Rickie Sanchez, 61, was booked into Monterey County Jail in lieu of...

 Invasive mosquito identified in Boulder Creek

An invasive mosquito that has the potential to spread several dangerous diseases has been found recently in Boulder Creek, and the Santa Cruz County Mosquito & Vector Control department is “initiating a full response” to get a bead on the extent of the problem...

Third man convicted in 2019 Atre murder

An 18-year-old man who participated in the 2019 kidnapping, robbery and murder of tech executive and cannabis entrepreneur Tushar Atre was convicted Wednesday for his role in the crime. Prosecutors say Kaleb Charters dropped three accomplices off in the Pleasure Point neighborhood of Santa Cruz,...
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Public defenders plan April 23 protest over caseloads, funding gaps

Public defenders in Santa Cruz County will join colleagues across California and the nation April 23 in a coordinated protest highlighting what they describe...