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Watsonville
December 24, 2025

Neighborhood Courts looking for volunteer panelists

District attorney office
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...

Deputy recovering after being shot in Salinas

sirens
The Monterey County Sheriff’s deputy who was shot in a nine-hour standoff with an armed man in Salinas last week was released from the hospital over the weekend and is now recovering at home. On May 31, Deputy Jesse Grant was shot in the arm...

PHOTO: Woodies benefit Pajaro flood relief efforts

woodies on the wharf santa cruz
More than 200 classic wood-bodied vehicles converged on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf on Saturday for the 27th annual Woodies on the Wharf. Organized by the Santa Cruz Woodies Club and City of Santa Cruz, the event drew participants from across the West Coast...

PHOTOS: Freedom Rotary sponsors mural

freedom rotary flodberg park mural
Members of the Rotary Club of Freedom celebrate a new mural they sponsored next to Flodberg Park Tuesday. President Trina Coffman-Gomez (center) said artist Erika Rosendale (holding scissors) created the 100-foot mural that reflects the words, vibrant, freedom and playful. Rosendale has created numerous...

Nurses picket at Watsonville Hospital

watsonville community hospital nurses picket
Dozens of nurses gathered outside Watsonville Community Hospital on Monday afternoon for a publicity picket, saying they want a contract that will allow them to attract and retain nurses, thus improving patient safety and care. “We want to advocate for a just and safe contract...

Watsonville man pleads no contest in 2021 fatal crash

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A 48-year-old Watsonville man pleaded no contest Wednesday to charges he was intoxicated when he caused a crash in 2021 that killed another man, prosecutors said. Israel Cruz pled no contest to one count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and one count of driving...

Watsonville City Council to consider changes to retail cannabis ordinance

catalyst cannabis
The City of Watsonville is looking to make its first update to its retail cannabis business ordinance in four years. On Oct. 10, the City Council considered 16 tweaks to the ordinance. Proposed changes include allowing a new establishment, opening more of the city to new...

New Santa Cruz County health officer set for appointment

Lisa hernandez
The City of Berkeley's health officer, Dr. Lisa Hernandez, is poised to take leadership of Santa Cruz County's Health Services Agency if her appointment is approved by the county Board of Supervisors next week.  Hernandez, who has 25 years of experience as a medical doctor...

PHOTO: Volunteers offer a helping hand on College Road

college road cleanup
Volunteers help remove stacks of sandbags Saturday at the flood-stricken College Road neighborhood as part of a large-scale cleanup. The one-day event, which drew more than 100 people, was organized by Supervisor Felipe Hernandez and his Chief of Staff Ramon Gomez. Numerous members of...

Granite Construction sustainability manager honored at UN

raven adams
A local woman who leads Granite Construction’s sustainability program traveled to New York on Sept. 17, where she was recognized by the United Nations’ Global Compact Network USA, a program that encourages companies to follow human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption principles. Sustainability Manager Raven...
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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...

ICE becomes an autocratic tool