Local News

Three law enforcement agencies responded to the west side of Watsonville early Monday afternoon after a man allegedly pelted passing cars with sticks and rocks, and smashed the windows of four vehicles and a building. Martin Cruz Chavez, 33, was taken to Santa Cruz County...

California commercial crab fisheries will close their season on April 15 as an influx of whales have begun feeding off the coast. The move is designed to help prevent Dungeness crab pots and their lengthy ropes from getting tangled up with whales, officials with the Center for Biological Diversity said.

A longtime biotechnology researcher and public transportation advocate has lined up to challenge Santa Cruz County Supervisor Manu Koenig when his District 1 seat goes up for reelection early next year. Lani Faulkner kicked off her campaign on Sunday afternoon in a small, redwood-studded picnic...

WATSONVILLE—The city of Watsonville is planning to follow through on a plan to clean out a homeless encampment on Bridge Street early Wednesday morning. The decision to stick to the ultimatum given to the 25 or so people staying in the parking lot on Sunday—the...

FELTON—The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy killed Saturday afternoon when he was ambushed by a gunman has been identified as Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, 38. Gutzwiller was a father of a young child, and was expecting a new child soon, said Sheriff Jim Hart. The death has...

Plaza decoration begins; tree lighting set for Nov. 24 WATSONVILLE—Downtown Watsonville was bustling with activity Tuesday morning as a 30-foot Blue Spruce arrived, carefully wrapped and attached to the back of a large tow truck. Workers from Auto Care Towing meticulously attached ropes and pulleys to...

Rhea Wood DeHart was a longtime teacher, union member, mentor and activist who helped lead the drive to unionize South County teachers, reshaped Watsonville politics and remained deeply active in the community she loved until the end of her life.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) on Thursday discussed the future of the county’s rail line, and possibly setting it aside for future use while first focusing on building a bicycle and pedestrian path. In a report to the commission, RTC...

WATSONVILLE—The man suspected of murdering his wife in their Watsonville home last week has likely fled to Mexico, Watsonville police said Monday. Cesar Hernandez, 47, allegedly murdered 24-year-old Brenda Elizabeth Becerra and then left her body in a Ford SUV on Mission Drive in Santa...