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Zeke Fraser has a lot on his desk, both figuratively and literally. He briefly stepped away from his paperwork-lined desk at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds late Wednesday morning for a quick chat about the upcoming fair, which opens on Wednesday. Vendors and performers were...

WATSONVILLE—Guy George, whose roots in Pajaro Valley agriculture stretch back to his immigrant parents, has earned this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award by the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. George joins Trina Coffman-Gomez and Dana Sales as Woman and Man of the Year, along...

Workers from Public Works of Monterey County have closed Murphy Road where it crosses the Pajaro River. County spokeswoman Maia Carroll said officials expect the current storm system to increase the level of the Pajaro River enough to overtop Murphy Road. The low water...

After four months of being raised by a Watsonville High School student, Stinkers the pig is ready for market. The 252-pound Hampshire cross was lazing in her pen Wednesday, soon after the Santa Cruz County Fair opened and after she waddled with a third-place ribbon...

Jerald O’Brien, founder of Silver Mountain Vineyards, pours a glass of 2013 Pinot Noir for Michelle Novicio on Sunday during the 39th annual Capitola Art and Wine Festival. The weekend affair drew thousands to Capitola Village.

The Friends of Watsonville Park and Community Services and the City of Watsonville are requesting nominations for their 21st Annual Cesar E. Chavez Community Awards.  This event will recognize individuals, organizations and businesses who engage Watsonville youth and empower them to help contribute to their...

Three Pajaro Valley Unified School District students on Wednesday became the first in Santa Cruz County to earn the California State Seal of Civic Engagement. The award, approved by the California State Legislature in 2020, goes to young people whose community involvement and knowledge of...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Heavy rain and winds have led to numerous mud and rock slides, toppled trees and flooding around the county. Power and communication lines have also been torn to the ground with dozens of road closures being reported. The National Weather Service said heavy...

The National Association of Counties (NACo) on July 21 voted unanimously to urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) to change the way it funds flood control projects for economically disadvantaged communities. Currently, the ACOE uses a 1:1 benefit-cost ratio when figuring the feasibility...

Robert Rivas was sworn in as the 71st Speaker of the California State Assembly during a special session Friday at the Capitol. “California is still the greatest state in the union,” Rivas, a Hollister Democrat who represents the 29th Assembly District, said. “But if we...