Indigenous coming of age ceremony coming Saturday
The White Hawk Indian Council for Children—also known as Iztatutli—will host Xilonen, considered a day of preserving Indigenous Coming-of-Age Ceremony at Pinto Lake County Park on Saturday.
For the 42nd year in a row, the free event will feature traditional dance by the local White...
Study reveals economic impact of arts in Santa Cruz County
Arts Council Santa Cruz County announced that Santa Cruz County’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $68 million in economic activity in 2022, according to the newly released Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), a national economic and social impact study conducted by Americans...
Man killed in Watsonville shooting
A man was killed Friday morning when he was shot multiple times on the 800 block of McKenzie Avenue.
According to Watsonville Police spokeswoman Michelle Pulido, dispatchers received multiple 911 calls about gunshots being heard in the neighborhood at about 10am.
Officers responded and found a...
Pedestrian struck and killed on Main Street
A man was killed Friday night when he was struck by a car as he attempted to cross Main Street in Watsonville.
Michelle Pulido, spokeswoman for Watsonville Police, said the man, who was in his 50s, was struck just after 7:30pm.
Police on the scene said...
Six from PVUSD earn competitive national scholarship
As high school seniors across the nation plan their adult lives, many are considering colleges and universities. Invariably, these questions are guided by a single factor: how to pay for it.
While scholarships are an option, these are often competitive and come with a host...
Census: Homeless population declines, except in Watsonville
A census of Santa Cruz County’s homeless population taken in February shows a 21.5% decline since the last count in 2021.
Still, one in every 146 Santa Cruz County residents still do not have access to housing, according to the 2023 Homeless Count and Survey,...
Pajaro repairs progress as officials tour region
PAJARO—Motorists who have been taking hours-long detours since waters from a flood forced the closure of Highway 1 saw a measure of relief Thursday morning, after officials opened the road. Officials cautioned, however, that parts of the highway between Salinas Road and Highway 129...
Santa Cruz County animal shelter employees demanding changes
Dozens of Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter employees briefly walked off the job on Nov. 30 to conduct an informational picket highlighting what they describe as untenable working conditions and inadequate pay, with no support from their management.
The issue is exacerbated by a recent...
Neighborhood Courts looking for volunteer panelists
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Since its inception last year, more than 100 people have gone through Santa Cruz County’s Neighborhood Courts program, with 90 completing the requirements set out in their agreements and avoiding a permanent criminal record.
Now, the program is looking for a team of...
Powerful storms clobber Central Coast
A string of strong winter storms slammed the Central Coast over the past several days, toppling power and communication lines, knocking down scores of...




















