Bus operators push back on METRO’s rider increase
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz METRO has increased its passenger capacity by 50% in an effort to accommodate more riders, but that decision has raised concerns within the union representing the bus operators still working during the Covid-19 pandemic.
METRO CEO Alex Clifford announced on June...
In support of the workers
A small contingent of workers gathered in Watsonville Plaza Monday at noon to celebrate May Day.
City seeks new management for Pinto Lake Park
WATSONVILLE—The City of Watsonville is searching for someone to take over the management of Pinto Lake City Park.
The Parks and Recreation Department on Aug. 14 released a request for proposals (RFP) for the 8.5-acre lakeside park off Green Valley Road. The City is looking...
Gas line ruptured on Freedom Boulevard
WATSONVILLE—A construction crew replacing a sewer line ruptured a natural gas line Wednesday morning on the 1400 block of Freedom Boulevard, according to Watsonville Fire Division Chief Corey Schaefer.
The 10am incident prompted Watsonville firefighters and police to shut down a section of Freedom Boulevard...
Flowers set the stage for county fair
A team of 60 volunteers that included children, teens and adults took gardening implements in hand on July 24 to plant flowers at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in preparation for the upcoming county fair Sept.10-14.
“Our fairgoers always appreciate the bright colors and atmosphere...
Child dies crossing Highway 101 in Prunedale
PRUNEDALE—A 7-year-old girl was killed April 7 when she was struck by a car on Highway 101 near Prunedale.
California Highway Patrol officer Jessica Madueño said the girl was apparently trying to cross the highway just before 11pm when she stepped into the path of...
The long road to the Lone Star State
In November my wife, Sarah, and I took a road trip to San Antonio, Texas. We packed on over 4,500 miles, averaging around 450 miles a day, stayed in 11 motels and wandered through four states.
While we were lucky to see many amazing things:...
Santa Cruz, Monterey counties to test wireless emergency system Thursday
Officials in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties will conduct a test of the Wireless Emergency Alert system on Thursday, sending emergency messages to mobile phones in flood inundation zones near the Pajaro River.
The test is scheduled for about 3pm and is part of ongoing...
Annieglass celebrates solar installation
One year ago, Watsonville’s Annieglass installed 249 solar panels on the factory’s roof, a 16,000-square-foot project that has reduced the company’s annual electricity bill by more than 86%.
The $320,000 project came thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy as part of...
Aptos wins first-ever CCS championship in school history | Boys soccer
The Aptos High boys’ soccer team went on an unprecedented postseason run during the 2025-26 winter season.
It began with bringing home the program’s first-ever...























