Featured

Two of the four people who have so far signaled their intentions to replace outgoing Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend for the District 2 seat are veteran policymakers with years of experience in the public sector. Kim De Serpa, who has served on the...

Every year, as the fleeting summer days pass, staff and volunteers at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds prepare for the coming fair, which is at once a community celebration of the region’s agricultural bounty and an embrace of autumn. The first step in the Herculean...

WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley Unified School District Trustee Jennifer Schacher, who has held the Trustee Area 5 seat since she was elected in 2018, has closed the gap between herself and opponent Olivia Flores since early returns began to come in Tuesday night. Flores is ahead by...

After 34 years at the U.S. Post Office in Watsonville, Jimmie Nartates wrapped up his career as a window clerk Monday beneath a large gold banner, “Happy Retirement.” With signs posted about his work station by fellow workers, such as “Welcome to 7-day weekends,” and...

WATSONVILLE—A Disaster Recovery Center is now operating at Ramsay Park to help residents impacted by recent storms and flooding in this area. The public can access information and resources needed for recovery, regardless of the type of damage suffered, location of impacted residence or business,...

California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas on Tuesday introduced legislation intended to speed up the $400 million rebuild of the Pajaro River Levee.  Assembly Bill 876 would expedite the work by exempting certain aspects of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The bill would also weigh...

Watsonville Community Hospital seeks community input Watsonville Community Hospital is hosting a town-hall-style event for area residents to hear what’s happening at the hospital and give their input about their hopes and wishes for the hospital, now that it is community-owned.  The event takes place July...

WATSONVILLE—Santa Cruz County Fair Board President Don Dietrich has taken over as CEO in the wake of the Oct. 4 dismissal of Dave Kegebein, and says he’ll stay at the helm as the Board recruits a replacement. It is unclear how long that could take,...

Pesticide meeting set for Monday The California Department of Pesticide Regulation will hold a meeting Monday from 4-6:30pm at the Family Center in Ramsay Park regarding pesticide use and regenerative farming.  “It is a rare in-person opportunity for the public to demand pesticide reduction and elimination...

Artists invited to apply for Open Studios tour Arts Council Santa Cruz County is inviting visual artists of all mediums to apply for the 2023 Open Studios Art Tour.  Every year more than 300 artists participate in this self-guided tour that runs over the first three...