Santa Cruz County Supervisors approve budget, brace for impending recession
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved the $1.1 billion proposed budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, including a $731 million General Fund.
While the county’s financial outlook takes into account slowing revenue growth, it funds community priorities such as the...
Speakers debate Cabrillo College name change at forum
Community involvement in the Cabrillo College name change continued at the Watsonville campus on June 28.
In an open forum, speakers explained how the name Aptos has come to symbolize privilege and exclusion, despite its origins in indigenous language and culture.
Aptos had previously appeared to...
Willie Yahiro honored
Longtime school board member, coach, mentor and businessman in the Pajaro Valley Willie Yahiro was remembered by close to 250 people Saturday at the Henry J. Mello Center.
The event included prayer and homily by Rev. Dan Hoffman, scripture read by Brooke Uchida, opening hymn...
International Women’s Day: a conversation with Watsonville’s Mayor and Vice-Mayor
When Vanessa Quiroz-Carter and Maria Orozco were sworn in late last year as Watsonville’s Mayor and Vice-Mayor, it was only the second time in the city’s history two women have held the roles.
The first was in 2019, when Rebecca Garcia and Trina Coffman-Gomez sat...
Disaster recovery centers open in Pajaro, Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—Two disaster recovery centers are now open in Watsonville and in Pajaro to help Pajaro flood victims navigate the relief programs available to them.
One center is open daily from 9am to 7pm at Old City Hall, 250 Main St. in Watsonville. There, residents can...
Pajaro Valley Arts’ ‘Art To Go!’ now on display
WATSONVILLE—The 10th annual “Take Aways: Art to Go!” exhibition has opened at Pajaro Valley Arts in downtown Watsonville. More than 900 works, spanning a wide range of mediums, from sculpture and jewelry to ceramics, paintings, photography, assemblage and collage, fill out the entire Sudden...
Biden administration establishes AI guidelines, following county’s lead
President Joe Biden on Oct. 30 issued an Executive Order—a new framework of safety, security and privacy standards governing artificial intelligence (AI) designed to manage the fledgling technology.
The executive order came after Santa Cruz County in September became one of the first jurisdictions in...
Watsonville kicks off Ramsay Park Renaissance Project
Watsonville city officials gathered Friday to break ground on a major renovation and upgrade for Ramsay Park.
The Ramsay Park Renaissance Project is expected to revitalize and transform Watsonville's largest recreation site.
The park now features a community center, the mammoth Soccer Central tent, soccer and...
Construction begins on oft-delayed 144-unit housing project in Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville’s newest residential development broke ground on Feb. 17, nearly five years after it was originally approved by the city council.
Hillcrest, located off of Ohlone Parkway, will consist of 144 units when fully built out over several phases, including 76 townhomes, 63 duplexes, and...
Cinco de Mayo Festival set for Sunday
Fiestas Patrias will host its annual Cinco de Mayo Festival in downtown Watsonville Sunday with live music, food, folkloric dance, food booths, information tables and arts and crafts.
Held at Watsonville Plaza and surrounding streets, the free event in the plaza and surrounding streets will...
PV’s Lara-Alvarez named Santa Lucia’s top player | All-PCAL football
In 2024, Pajaro Valley senior Benito Lara-Alvarez was primarily on the defensive side of the ball for the Grizzlies.
Prior to the start of this...




















