County’s anti-crime team arrests two for guns, drugs
SANTA CRUZ—Two Santa Cruz men were arrested March 12 during a traffic stop after police found them in possession of guns, open containers of alcohol and illegal drugs.
Clyde Ortega, 28, and Mauricio Morales, 22, were charged with a variety of weapons and narcotic crimes....
Candidates set for Santa Cruz County’s 4th District supervisorial race
WATSONVILLE—A third candidate jumped into the race for the 4th District seat on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors set to be vacated by current supervisor Greg Caput in November.
Ed Acosta, a member of the County Office of Education’s Board of Trustees and...
Sweet Earth Foods plant to close, 104 to lose jobs
MOSS LANDING—A Moss Landing company that has produced a variety of vegan foods since its inception in 2017 will close by May 6, laying off 104 employees.
In a March 4 Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice to employees, Sweet Earth Foods said it...
Sheriff’s Office outlines military equipment policy
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office has at its disposal several pieces of military-grade equipment to use during the myriad emergency incidents that occur throughout the year.
This ranges from armored vehicles to pepper-ball launchers to drones.
And now, all of that equipment is...
Driscoll’s matching contributions for health care district
WATSONVILLE—Efforts by a local nonprofit to purchase and run Watsonville Community Hospital have gained momentum, with several jurisdictions and organizations pledging money.
Now, Driscoll’s berry company has stepped forward, offering $1.75 million to match all donations through May 1 to the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District...
Watsonville city manager interviews set for March 22
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council in a Monday night special closed session meeting reviewed candidates for the city’s vacant city manager position.
Watsonville City Attorney Samantha Zutler on Tuesday morning said that the council took no action on the item, the lone topic on the meeting’s...
North County Fire welcomes 7 new firefighters
CASTROVILLE—The North County Fire District held a badge pinning ceremony Tuesday at its main fire station in Castroville, welcoming seven newly promoted firefighters.
Attendees to the ceremony included 2nd District Supervisor John Phillips and his staff, Fire District board members and friends and family of...
Freedom Boulevard project to begin in May
WATSONVILLE—A massive, long-awaited project that will completely overhaul one of Watsonville’s key arterial roads is set to begin in May.
The Freedom-Green Valley Water and Sewer Improvement project and the proceeding Freedom Boulevard Road Reconstruction Project were delayed because of global supply chain issues, the...
Photo: Dinosaurs stomp into Capitola Mall parking lot
Giant dinosaurs take over the parking lot of the former Sears store at the Capitola Mall on 41st Avenue Tuesday.
The creatures are part of a traveling Jurassic Empire drive-thru event. According to their website, the Jurassic Empire features sights and sounds of "moving,...
$1M for Lee Road Trail project included in omnibus bill
WATSONVILLE—Congressman Jimmy Panetta recently announced that eight projects across California’s 20th district totaling $5.9 million have been included in the $1.5 trillion omnibus bill signed by President Joe Biden Tuesday.
The funding includes $1 million for the Watsonville Lee Road Trail, a project headed up...
Monterey County Sheriff: ‘Bomb’ was lost computer
A suspicious bag left leaning against a California Highway Patrol vehicle in Prunedale Monday—which prompted a response from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad...
