Local author releases third book in trilogy
WATSONVILLE—For the past eight years, Nikki Lewen has been writing and releasing a trilogy of novels—all the while being a full-time teacher and coach at Watsonville High School.
This year, all that hard work has paid off as Lewen celebrates not only the release of...
Cutout mural installed at Watsonville Nature Center
WATSONVILLE—A crew from the City of Watsonville was hard at work Wednesday installing a new cutout mural next door to the Nature Center at Ramsay Park.
The 14-foot-tall piece, “Great White Egret,” was created by Salinas artist John Cerney and depicts a white egret about...
PVUSD cancels elementary portion of Virtual Academy
WATSONVILLE—After seeing declining enrollment in the lower grades of its Virtual Academy, Pajaro Valley Unified School District has canceled that portion of the online school.
But the District will keep the school’s 7-12 grades, since that portion has more robust student numbers.
The District Board of...
CAO Carlos Palacios Resigns After 30 Years
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors announced that County Executive Officer Carlos J. Palacios will step down in December after more than 30 years in local government leadership
Event celebrates families, combats child abuse
After 10 years of the Walk to Stop the Silence, organizers have created a different event that aims to bring more families together while still spreading the message of safety for all children.
Man dies after being struck multiple times in Pajaro
An elderly man was struck and killed after he was hit by several vehicles early Wednesday morning around 6:35 a.m.
Walk through history
The Santa Cruz County Fair begins Wednesday, and volunteers at the Historic Rodgers House are gearing up for visitors to come tour a piece of Watsonville history.
Annual luncheon celebrates National Agriculture Day
More than 200 tickets were sold for the National Agriculture Day Spring Luncheon held April 26 in the Heritage Hall at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville.
The annual event is coordinated by the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau and the educational organization, Agri-Culture.
At...
Sarah Ryan named Capitola’s first female police chief
The City of Capitola announced Friday that Capt. Sarah Ryan has been named the next Police Chief.
She will be succeeding Chief Andy Dally, who is retiring Nov. 24 after 29 years with the city.
“Ryan brings two decades of dedicated service to the community to...
Work wrapping up on WHS cafeteria
WATSONVILLE—The major renovation of the Watsonville High School cafeteria is moving ahead, with floor tile installation near completion and last minute touches being done.
General contractor Avila Construction is heading up the project, estimated at $3.3 million. It is the school’s final allocation from Measure...
Photo story: Fill the Fire Truck effort aids in toy drive
Watsonville’s interim Fire Chief, Corey Schaefer, shows a sampling of the new toys that locals donated first-ever Fill the Fire Truck Toy Drive Dec...





















