Local News

Josephine Vidal (from left), Esther Herrera, Ignacia Gonzalez and Maria Cornejo join in folkloric dancing during Cinco de Mary celebration at the Watsonville Senior Center.  Older Adult Services Supervisor Katie Nuñez said about 73 regulars to the center were present for food, fun and dancing. (Tarmo...

SANTA CRUZ—With a short welcoming greeting to a small crowd gathered outside Santa Cruz’s new REI store Wednesday evening, manager John Davis opened the doors for the first time, allowing employees’ friends and family a peek before the store opens Friday. An abbreviation of Recreational...

Santa Cruz Police deal with closing down Laurel Street Saturday after an underground water main ruptured around 2 p.m.

WATSONVILLE—Mas Hashimoto, a devout defender of civil rights whose name became synonymous with his hometown after decades of service in education, community volunteerism and historic preservation, and whose unrelenting willingness to speak, write and teach about the plight of Japanese Americans during World War...

Monterey Bay Youth Outdoor Day, a free family-oriented outdoor activity day, runs through Saturday at the fairgrounds.

A 28-year-old Salinas man died late Monday night when he was struck by a car while walking on Highway 1 north of the city at this Vista Point freeway entrance.

SANTA CRUZ—The man who slaughtered Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller during a violent crime spree two years ago was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.  Steven Carrillo, 34, also received prison time for attempting to kill four other...

A total of 320 families at six locations received gifts on Monday, along with the makings for a Christmas meal.

SAN FRANCISCO—The Ben Lomond man accused of killing two law enforcement officials—and trying to kill two others—in Santa Cruz County and the City of Oakland, made his first appearance in federal court Tuesday. Steven Carrillo did not enter a plea during the short hearing in...

The Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board of Directors on Dec. 21 approved a three-year contract with its nurses, two weeks after the nurses’ union ratified it. The approval came after six months of bargaining. Nurses say the contract helps improve patient safety by increasing...