Local News

WATSONVILLE—Renaissance High School brought 41 graduates to the stage at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds under mild, sunny skies on June 2. “The past 16 months has tested your tenacity—not seeing friends and teachers in person,” said Drew Singleton, a principal within the Pajaro Valley...

A wildland fire southeast of Big Sur in Los Padres National Forest that has charred around 200 acres in steep, rugged terrain has led to mandatory evacuations.

Towering flames reach into the sky at Pacific Firewood & Lumber, 2536 Freedom Blvd., Friday as a huge pile of timber burns. Fire officials said the blaze was triggered by spontaneous combustion sometime during the night. Firefighters around 8:30am said they would be on...

SAN BENITO COUNTY—A Watsonville native was sworn in as the 16th sheriff for San Benito County Friday under mild, sunny conditions in the front courtyard of the Veterans Memorial Building. Eric Taylor, a 1992 Watsonville High School graduate, accepted the position in the presence of...

SANTA CRUZ—The man who allegedly fatally shot Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller in Ben Lomond last year during a violent crime spree waived his preliminary hearing Monday in Santa Cruz County Superior Court. The move means Steven Carrillo, who appeared in the courtroom...

The next phase of “Watsonville Brillante,” the massive mosaic project splashed across the exterior walls of the six-story Civic Plaza parking garage in downtown Watsonville, is currently being installed. Lead artist Kathleen Crocetti added that the scaffolding and netting that covers the project will...

WATSONVILLE—A Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge on Wednesday ruled that Watsonville Municipal Airport officials were in the wrong when they placed barriers at a business nearly three years ago that blocked access to the runways. The Statement of Decision by Judge Timothy Volkmann means...

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council at its Tuesday meeting declared a stalled housing development off Ohlone Parkway a public nuisance, setting the stage for a public hearing on the item after its summer recess. Pacific Sunshine Garden at 1773 Santa Victoria Ave. has for more than...

According to the California Strawberry Commission, about 90% of all strawberries in the U.S. are grown in California. The fruit thrives in the state, due to its need for year-round moderate weather, which allows its roots to grow strong and stable.  On the Central Coast, consistent...

WATSONVILLE—The Monterey Bay Birding Festival has been mothballed for the second year in a row due to pandemic complications. Despite most levels of society, from schools, businesses, services and government, edging back toward normal operations, the festival—in its 17th year—couldn’t get off the ground. “The festival...