Local News

Watsonville-raised Matt Mahan is favored to become the next mayor of America’s 10th largest city. The San Jose city councilman’s lead over Santa Clara County supervisor Cindy Chavez grew slightly Wednesday, to 4,766 votes, as ballot counting at the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters...

SOQUEL—The County of Santa Cruz is searching for an artist to create a new public art piece for the Heart of Soquel multi-use parkway. Jason Hoppin, Communications Manager of the County of Santa Cruz, said the Heart of Soquel Plaza County Park links a walking...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville’s half-cent sales tax increase had formidable support from voters in initial results released by the Santa Cruz County Elections Department. As of Wednesday morning, Measure R had amassed 64.67% of the 3,151 votes tallied. The general tax measure only needs a simple majority for...

WATSONVILLE—Felipe Hernandez has taken an early lead on Jimmy Dutra in the race for the 4th District Santa Cruz County Supervisor seat, according to initial results reported by the County Elections Department. Hernandez, the former mayor of Watsonville and current member of the Cabrillo College...

WATSONVILLE—The race for the District 7 seat on the Watsonville City Council has been the tightest contest in all of Santa Cruz County this general election. Current District 7 representative Ari Parker and former Watsonville mayor Nancy Bilicich are separated by a mere 10 votes,...

WATSONVILLE—A new exhibit will soon open at Studio Judy G in Downtown Watsonville, featuring alumni and former instructors of the recently shuttered San Francisco Arts Institute. “Foment: An exhibition of artwork by San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) alumni and staff” opens next week, with an...

MONTEREY COUNTY—Voters in Monterey County Supervisor District 2 are leaning toward Glenn Church, with 58.8% of voters choosing him over opponent Regina Gage.  Church is a lifelong resident of North Monterey County who owns and manages Church Christmas Tree Farms. He is the founder of...

More Watsonville voters have elected to extend the city’s urban growth boundaries for the next 18 years rather than head back to the drawing board and determine a new growth plan, according to initial election results released Tuesday night. As of 8:16pm, 1,788 votes had...

WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley Unified School District Trustee Area 1 incumbent Kim De Serpa took an early–and significant–lead as early results poured in, showing a 66.1% lead over her opponent Natalain Schwartz. In a small gathering at Cantine Winepub, De Serpa said she was looking forward to...