Crime, Fire & Courts

Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies and Pajaro Valley Unified School District officials are investigating after a bag containing a firearm and ammunition was found at Aptos High School. A mask was also found nearby, PVUSD spokesman Alejandro Chavez said in a press release. PVUSD has notified...

A routine traffic stop turned into a chase late Tuesday night that ended with the arrest of a 17-year-old suspected gang member and the recovery of a loaded gun, according to Watsonville Police. Around 11pm, a silver Honda Civic was stopped near West Sixth and...

North Monterey County Fire officials join American Medical Response paramedics in treating the male driver of a pickup who veered off of Hall Road Jan. 6 in Las Lomas. The California Highway Patrol said the man lost control of a GMC around 2:30pm while...

Watsonville police warned Wednesday that a mountain lion was seen behind 1075 Main Street heading toward Harkins Slough Road.  The department said that residents should remain alert, especially when walking in open or rural areas. Animal control and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife...

After their truck stalled in this flooded section of Elkhorn Road Saturday these men wait for help. Scores of motorists were turned away at the intersection at Hidden Valley Road at mid day. Heavy rains have flooded area roads, including Paulsen Road and San...

A 2015 Toyota Prius sits on its roof in Browns Creek on the 800 block of Browns Valley Road near Corralitos on the afternoon of Dec. 30.  California Highway Patrol spokesman Israel Murillo said the driver suffered minor injuries and the passenger uninjured in...

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...

An arrest has been made after a six-week investigation into the murder of a 34-year-old Watsonville man behind the Chipotle Restaurant on the 1300 block of Main Street. Watsonville Police said the 16-year-old suspect was taken into custody Saturday night in connection with the Oct....

Watsonville Police process evidence Thursday night following a car stop on Hushbeck Street just after 7:30pm. While police managed to take the driver into custody, two people fled down Center Street on foot. Police found a handgun at the scene and recovered a stolen...