Local News

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council at its Tuesday meeting declared the vacant Kmart property a public nuisance, citing “illegal camping, lack of sanitation, inoperable or abandoned vehicles, excessive noise,” and a “violation of the City’s zoning laws.” The declaration gives the City the right to remove...

New murals that celebrate people with disabilities will be unveiled to the public Saturday at Ramsay Park. The murals will feature images of people with disabilities participating in athletic activities. The celebration comes as part of Disability Awareness Month. Shared Adventures, a nonprofit dedicated to making outdoor...

WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley Unified School District on Wednesday approved a resolution proclaiming October as LGBTQ+ History Month, a move that garnered unanimous approval from the board members in attendance and support from people at the meeting. Trustee Jennifer Schacher, who worked to fly LGBTQ flags...

WATSONVILLE—Cabrillo College’s Watsonville Center has started up a new program that aims to welcome back and support students who left the school during the pandemic. Ganas is a two-semester program encouraging previous students, especially those in South County, to return and resume their studies. Students...

WATSONVILLE—The city of Watsonville will see a major shift in leadership in 2022.  The election of a new city councilmember is ongoing, and four more seats will be open next year. Current City Manager Matt Huffaker will soon be moving to the city of Santa...

PAJARO VALLEY—About 50 people gathered Sunday in Watsonville’s community room to explore ways to phase out toxic farming chemicals and convert Pajaro Valley farmlands to organic and regenerative farming.  The group of speakers included farmers, farmworkers, doctors, retired teachers, experts in environmental health and justice...

WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Nov. 17 began the process of redrawing the boundaries of the district’s trustee areas, a required decennial undertaking that follows the census. During redistricting—which occurs in counties, cities and other jurisdictions nationwide—officials redraw their boundaries...

WATSONVILLE—A 33-year-old Watsonville man died in a solo-vehicle crash just before midnight Tuesday on Riverside Road, or Highway 129. California Highway Patrol officer Sam Courtney said the victim was driving a 1999 Lexus west on Riverside Road south of Lakeview Road with a 44-year-old female...

SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors at its Tuesday meeting unanimously approved a plan to purchase a parcel of land in Watsonville, with the hopes of one day converting it into a public park. The 38.5-acre parcel at 188 Whiting Road—located adjacent to...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a plan to repeal and completely replace the county’s ordinances governing wireless communication facilities that allow coverage for cell phones and the internet. The new rules essentially speed up the permitting process...