Whale washes ashore | About Town
TARMO HANNULA
A dead humpback whale washed ashore at Rio Del Mar State Beach Monday. California State Parks Ranger Joseph Carr Ritchie said the male humpback was about 13 years old. Researchers are looking into the cause of death while California State Parks is looking...
PHOTO: Hot rods in Capitola
People enjoy viewing dozens of classic cars, hot rods and muscle cars at the Capitola Rod & Custom Classic Car Show Saturday.
Watsonville resident marks 104th birthday
Clara Fletcher of Watsonville will turn 104 on Saturday.
Paycheck Protection Program again under scrutiny after list of recipients released
The half-trillion-dollar loan program advertised as a lifesaver for the country’s struggling small businesses is again under fire after the Small Business Administration on Monday released a list containing hundreds of recipients of the program, revealing that several private equity-backed chains owned by members...
North County Fire District welcomes new firefighters, recognizes promotions
CASTROVILLE—The North County Fire District swore in five new firefighters on Tuesday and held a badge pinning ceremony for three who have recently been promoted.
During the ceremony at the Castroville Public Library, five new firefighters who have recently filled vacant positions received their badges:...
Watsonville officials disappointed by split RTC vote on rail plan
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—When the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) on April 1 narrowly rejected a business plan that laid out how to pay for a countywide passenger rail system, it sidelined a project that could have benefitted thousands of South County residents...
Rarities spotted in Christmas Bird Count
CENTRAL COAST—Dozens of volunteers counted 206 species of birds during the annual Christmas Bird Count, which despite its name took place on New Year's Day here in Monterey Bay and in locations throughout the U.S.
The numbers will be fused in with the Audubon Society’s...
PHOTO: Bomb Squad responds to suspicious device
Watsonville police and Santa Cruz County Sheriff's deputies team up with the county Bomb Team Thursday morning after a suspicious device was found at the door of the County Courthouse in downtown Watsonville before 8am, said WPD spokeswomen Michelle Pulido. s were evacuated, dozens...
SC Police: man filmed girls at high school swim meet
A Santa Cruz man was arrested Thursday for allegedly inappropriately filming female high-school students during a swim meet at Santa Cruz High School.
Freedom Rotary donates to organizations
The Freedom Rotary Club presented grants to three local organizations during its Tuesday meeting.
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...






















