New fire station not recommended, executive team gets pay increase
WATSONVILLE—The addition of a third fire station would not significantly improve Watsonville Fire Department’s response time to most neighborhoods, according to a 142-page report presented to the Watsonville City Council at its Tuesday meeting.
Fitch & Associates found that while a third station on the...
Pajaro levee assessment headed to voters
PAJARO—People living in south Santa Cruz County and north Monterey County could soon see Pajaro River’s levee system rebuilt, a long-awaited project that would offer up to 100-year flood protection to the area, and be a comfort to residents who have been beset by...
New development fee will fund public art in Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council approved a new developer fee that it hopes will jump-start an arts renaissance in a city that has for decades struggled to find funding and space for the arts.
If approved at an upcoming second reading, the fee will require developers—both...
$15.2M needed to complete Watsonville Community Hospital purchase
WATSONVILLE—The board tasked with purchasing and overseeing Watsonville Community Hospital told the Santa Cruz County Supervisors Tuesday that they still have to raise roughly $15 million by Aug. 31 to complete the $61.7 million sale.
The Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board of Directors has...
Watsonville City Council appoints Rene Mendez as new city manager
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council appointed Rene Mendez, the current chief executive for the city of Gonzales, as Watsonville’s new city manager during its Tuesday meeting.
Mendez has three decades of experience in state, county and city government and has spent the last 17 years as...
‘Born and Raised in Watsonville’ Scholarship deadlines April 29
WATSONVILLE—Since 2019, local artist Jessica Carrasco has organized the Born and Raised in Watsonville scholarship, aiming to support youth while spreading positivity about her hometown.
The scholarship is funded through sales of Carrasco’s line of Watsonville-themed stickers and other fundraising efforts in the community.
Students can...
Lutheran pastor to retire after 18 years in Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—After 18 years at the helm of the Lutheran Community Church of Watsonville, and 40 years total as an ordained minister, Rev. Susan Birkelo will soon retire.
Born in Minnesota, Birkelo’s family moved to San Diego when she was still in kindergarten. After school, she...
Pilot program provides free menstrual products at County buildings
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County launched a pilot program on April 8 to provide free menstrual products in restrooms in select county facilities, including at the Watsonville center on Freedom Boulevard.
The program aims to assist low-income residents who struggle to afford menstrual products, said...
Photo: At least 200 call for peace, justice after deadly shooting
People take part in an anti-violence rally Sunday in Watsonville's City Plaza as part of a memorial for Feliciano Martinez Perea, 18, who was shot and killed on April 2 at his home on Riverside Drive.
Watsonville Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said officers...
Photo: Falling tree limb hits 4 teens, no major injuries reported
Watsonville Firefighters and paramedics treated four teen girls that were struck by this tree limb that crashed to the ground in the City Plaza around 4:30pm Friday.
The pine tree limb split from the tree trunk and fell during the peak of the weekly...
Casa de la Cultura hosts annual giveaway
Dozens of families lined up along Salinas Road in Pajaro Monday morning, children’s faces peering from backseat windows, as they waited their turn for...
