Local News

CASTROVILLE—Three men were killed and another was injured by gunfire early Monday in Castroville during a party that spilled out onto the streets. On Tuesday the victims were identified as Julian Gallegos, 30, Jeff Robles, 21, and Juliani Robles, 21—all of Salinas—according to the Monterey...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville City Manager Matt Huffaker announced last week that he appointed Alicia Martinez as the new director of the Watsonville Public Library. She succeeds longtime director Carol Heitzig, who retired in July 2020. Martinez worked her way up the ranks at the library. She started...

WATSONVILLE—Santa Cruz County has issued a flood advisory for three evacuation zones along Corralitos and Salsipuedes creeks. The Pajaro River is not at risk of flooding, County officials say. The warning is in effect for zone PAJ-E026, which is north of Wagner Avenue, south of...

Robert Lyons Sr. celebrated his 100th birthday Saturday at his family home, 50 Beverly Drive in Watsonville, where he has lived for 65 years.

Observations from around the Pajaro Valley.

“Sculpture IS: In the Garden 2023,” an outdoor exhibit of more than 90 sculptures, has just opened at Sierra Azul Nursery and Gardens in Watsonville. In its 17th year, the annual exhibit, produced by Pajaro Valley Arts (PVA), features artists from around the Monterey...

Editor’s note: This is the second entry in a monthly series about the history scattered throughout downtown Watsonville and the city at large. As my walks continue through Watsonville, augmented with jaunts to and from aboard the Santa Cruz METRO, my interest lately has been...

The Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture has announced its annual awardees, including the man and woman of the year. Nita Gizdich was on her ranch Tuesday morning, and as usual she was working.  Although sweeping the driveway leading to her iconic pie shop was...

As part of Engineer’s Week, the engineering crew with the City of Watsonville staged their 17th annual egg drop contest Wednesday. People from local groups, offices and schools tested their skills in wrapping an egg in various materials and then hurling it off the...

WATSONVILLE—The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, together with the Martinelli and Silliman families, have protected the Silliman Ranch on Highway 129 from development.  Under the agreement signed the week before Thanksgiving, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County purchased the development rights to the...