Local News

Observations from around the Pajaro Valley and beyond.

Coastal Cleanup Day collects 7,700 pounds of debris MONTEREY BAY REGION—More than 2,000 volunteers collected more than 6,000 pounds of trash and over 1,700 pounds of recycling from 64 beaches, rivers and inland areas across Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties in Saturday’s Coastal Cleanup Day.  The annual...

Around 400 bicyclists filled Capitola and Santa Cruz Saturday as part of a nationwide cycling event to bring bicyclists together to show off their skills and simply bring the community together.

Art students at Watsonville High School have pooled their talents into a new exhibit at the Pajaro Valley Arts Porter Building. “Wildcatz Art Show,” with the theme of “Who Are the Students of Watsonville High,” showcases more than 100 artworks, including painting, drawing, photography, print-making...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Parks and Community Services Director Nick Calubaquib says since he was hired in 2018 that he has seen county officials make a stronger effort to reinvest in South County’s parks. That same year, the County of Santa Cruz finalized its parks strategic plan,...

WATSONVILLE—A week after Frida Kahlo’s birthday on July 6, Watsonville’s art community came together on July 16 for a festival to celebrate the artist’s life, work and legacy. “Frida Por Vida” Frida Kahlo Festival was organized by Arte del Corazon, an organization that has been...

SANTA CRUZ—Santa Cruz Police on Thursday arrested a man for attempted robbery, one week after he allegedly brandished a knife and demanded money from someone at an ATM. Jesse Tapia, 33, was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail. He was not in custody Friday afternoon,...

UPDATE: The 1-year-old has been returned to her mother. WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a 1-year-old child who was abruptly taken by her father after an argument with the child’s mother in Watsonville Sunday night. WPD spokeswoman Michelle Pulido...

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk plans on bringing back an iconic attraction, but it first must seek approval from the city’s planning commission. Five years after the park removed its Ferris wheel due to age, plans are in the works to construct a new, 68-foot...