Freedom Boulevard sewer work progresses
WATSONVILLE—Work is slated to wrap up this week on an underground sewer line on Freedom Boulevard on the north side of the city.
The project, which got underway last week near the intersection of Buena Vista Drive and Compton Terrace at Freedom Boulevard, calls for...
Volunteers clear truckloads of trash from Pajaro River
WATSONVILLE—Armed with grabbers, cans, garbage bags and gloves, more than 25 volunteers gathered at Murphy Crossing Road early on July 29 for a community cleanup of a portion of the Pajaro River on the outskirts of Watsonville.
The volunteers picked up plastic, cans, bottles, mattresses,...
Rail-trail study gets RTC nod
SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission on Thursday unanimously agreed to release a request for proposals (RFP) for an engineering study of the county’s rail line, the first step in what will be a multiple-year project to establish a passenger rail system.
The...
Aptos High welcomes new principal
APTOS—Aptos High School’s new principal began her career in education during a stint in the Peace Corps, where in a small mountaintop village in Ethiopia she upended the school’s boys-in-the-front, girls-in-the-back paradigm and learned the influence a good educator can have.
“I fell in love...
Community Foundation donors raise $7 million for hospital
WATSONVILLE—Earlier this year, Santa Cruz County was presented with the challenging task of raising $67 million to purchase and subsequently save Watsonville Community Hospital (WCH).
Since the February 2022 formation of the Pajaro Valley Health Care District (PVHCD)—an organization aiming to advocate for community-led, nonprofit...
One flower, one day, huge crowds: Corpse flower blooms
SANTA CRUZ—Thousands of curious folks had a one-day window Tuesday to view and smell a blooming corpse flower at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden.
The 4-foot tall flower, sheltered beneath a tent and kept warm with a space heater while being gently...
Photo: Law officials, community unite for National Night Out
Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy German Fernandez joins area youths and others in a game of Musical Squares Tuesday evening during the annual National Night Out at Mesa Village Park.
About 24 booths were spread out, featuring games, information tables, free food, community assistance...
Watsonville’s Wine, Beer & Art Walk returns Aug. 20
WATSONVILLE—In 2018, the inaugural Wine, Beer & Art Walk was held in downtown Watsonville.
The event was a big success, selling out and seeing hundreds of people strolling along the downtown corridor, checking out local businesses while sampling local wine and brews and viewing local...
Event brings mental health resources to Watsonville youth
WATSONVILLE—On Aug. 12, United Way of Santa Cruz County’s Youth Action Network and Jóvenes SANOS will host a pop-up event in Watsonville aiming to connect youth with mental health resources in their community.
The event is part of Youth Action Network’s ongoing pop-up series, which...
Suspected drunk driver flees crash scene on 3 wheels before arrest
WATSONVILLE—A Watsonville man was arrested Monday afternoon on suspicion of DUI and hit and run after Watsonville police caught up with him near his heavily damaged car.
Watsonville Police Department Sgt. Charles Bailey said the man, who has not been identified, slammed into a curb,...
Man arrested in levee death
Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies on Friday arrested a Pajaro man for the murder of Watsonville resident Jesús Alfonso Duarte Figueroa, whose body was found...
