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...
Suspected nabbed in sizable firearms, drug haul
A Watsonville man was arrested Thursday after a car stop by the California Highway Patrol that led to the discovery of 14 firearms and drugs with a street value of over $15,000.
CHP officer Israel Murillo said officers pulled over a black Honda Sedan in...
One arrested after fire at Capitola Target store
One person was arrested Tuesday night after a fire inside the Target store in Capitola.
Central Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Patrick Winters said that the call came at about 8:30pm for a fire on a shelf inside the store at 1825 41st Ave.
Firefighters found...
Sheriff’s office holding Gun Buy Back
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office will hold a Gun Buy Back Oct. 18, an opportunity for the public to cash in unwanted guns in a “no questions asked” setting.
They will hand out $50 for rifles, $100 for handguns, and $200 for assault rifles....
Photo story: New four-way stop
NEW STOP A new four-way stop is now in place at Tuttle Avenue and Lake Village Drive. Watsonville Police say the change will help slow traffic and make the intersection safer for everyone, whether driving, walking, or biking.
Over $30K in stolen bikes and tools recovered from illegal encampment
A man living in a homeless encampment in the Arana Gulch area was arrested Tuesday after he was found with illegal drugs, cash, police scanners and a passel of high-end stolen bikes totaling more than $30,000.
Joshua Morris, 35, was charged with grant theft, possession...
Two suspects arrested with stolen tractor
Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested two subjects for conspiracy to commit a felony and being in possession of a stolen tractor.
One subject was also found to be a convicted felon in possession of methamphetamine and ammunition.
On April 20 Sheriff’s Deputies got a report of...
County announces new probation chief
Santa Cruz County on Monday named Sandra Mendez as its next chief probation officer, selecting a veteran corrections administrator with more than 20 years of experience in community-based justice programs.
Mendez will take over leadership of the county’s Probation Department on Feb. 2, county officials...
Homicide suspect arrested in Switzerland
A Santa Cruz man was arrested recently in Switzerland in connection with the death of his father, 90-year-old Robert Smallwood.
Watsonville man arrested in fatal DUI crash
A Watsonville man has been arrested on suspicion of causing a head-on DUI crash Sunday night near Salinas that left one man dead and five others hurt.
Miguel Soto Garcia, 29, was charged with felony DUI causing bodily injury, driving with a .08 alcohol level...
2026 Santa Cruz County Fair theme contest underway
Organizers at the Santa Cruz County Fair are asking the public for ideas for a theme for the 2026 County Fair.
Anyone who has a...



















