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Watsonville
November 13, 2025

Body found along Pajaro River Levee

The discovery of a man's body along Pajaro River levee Thursday has prompted an investigation by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were dispatched for a report of a body at 5am. A forensic examination on Friday determined the person was a male, but officials did...

Two arrested on guns and ammo charges

A Watsonville man was arrested on the night of Feb. 26 after he tried to outrun Watsonville Police during a traffic stop. When WPD made a traffic stop on East Lake Avenue, 31-year-old Jose Alberto Sanchez leapt from the car and fled on foot, WPD...

Brush fire scorches two acres

firefighters douse a grass fire on the 300 block of Amesti Road Friday.
CLOSE CALL Firefighters douse hot spots in a brush fire that erupted on the 300 block of Amesti Road Friday. An official from CalFire said the 3:20pm brush fire climbed to two acres before firefighters from Pajaro Valley Fire District, Watsonville and Central Fire...

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....

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...

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.

Motorcyclist dies in Highway 17 crash

A San Jose man died in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 17 early Sunday morning. The California Highway Patrol said an unknown person was driving a gray 2012 Nissan 370Z at an undetermined speed northbound on Hwy. 17, north of Santa’s Village Road at 5:20am.  For...

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...

Watsonville police search for church vandal

Watsonville Police are asking for help in identifying a man who was caught on a security camera hurling a brick at a stained-glass window at St. Patrick’s Church March 14. WPD said the man, clad in white pants and a blue jacket, caused more than...

Monterey County DA probes CHP fatal shooting

Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni has begun an investigation into an officer-involved shooting on the Highway 101 northbound at Ralph Lane in Prunedale on March 15.  The California Highway Patrol was dispatched to a report of a solo vehicle collision with a guardrail on...
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Police looking for Utah woman missing from Rio Del Mar State...

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office is looking for Danielle Staley, 35, who was last seen on Nov. 6, around 11:23pm near Rio Del...

A day to honor veterans

From our archives: Funds drive