Featured

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Police are investigating a fatal shooting in the Pajaro riverbed. Ashley Keehn, spokeswoman for the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, said the victim has been identified as John Michael Peña, 41. Michelle Pulido, spokeswoman for Watsonville Police, said detectives were called to the scene of...

WATSONVILLE—About four dozen people were on hand to celebrate the groundbreaking of an 80-unit affordable housing complex off Atkinson Lane on Nov. 18. In his opening remarks, MidPen Housing President and CEO Matt Franklin said that creating affordable housing communities like Pippin Orchards II is...

WATSONVILLE—The Cabrillo College Board of Trustees on Monday unanimously appointed Martha Vega to fill the Area 5 seat left vacant when Felipe Hernandez was elected to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. “I’m grateful,” she said. “I am humbled and I’m honored and I...

WATSONVILLE—Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for Watsonville neighborhoods with a high risk of flooding during this Wednesday’s storm, which is said to hit the region early tomorrow morning.  City officials urge residents who live within this map's blue-shaded area to evacuate tonight. Choosing not...

For decades, Watsonville-based Mexican folklórico group Esperanza del Valle (EDV) has been learning from master dance instructors from Mexico.  One of these teachers, Daniel del Valle Hernandez, will join Esperanza for its upcoming show, “Homenaje a Veracruz,” which is scheduled for Nov. 12 and 13...

The community is gearing up for the Watsonville Strawberry Festival 2023, a beloved annual event that celebrates the region's rich agricultural heritage. This year’s festival promises to be a delightful extravaganza, with a special focus on showcasing local arts and crafts vendors, a Berry...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The light rain that fell all day Thursday was “just the very, very top-tip of the iceberg” of a storm system expected to dump several inches of rain through Friday, says National Weather Service Meteorologist Brian Garcia. “We still have a lot to...

CASTROVILLE—The North County Fire District swore in five new firefighters on Tuesday and held a badge pinning ceremony for three who have recently been promoted. During the ceremony at the Castroville Public Library, five new firefighters who have recently filled vacant positions received their badges:...

A group of Watsonville residents who live near Ceiba College Preparatory Academy have filed a lawsuit against the school, the City of Watsonville and the company that owns the land. The lawsuit states that the City Council erred in February when it approved a zoning...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville officials issued expanded evacuation warnings late Thursday night as floodwaters have shut down numerous streets in the city. The expanded evacuation warnings include E. Front and White streets south of Riverside Drive, and near the intersection of Green Valley and Holohan roads. The City of...