Local News

WATSONVILLE—Work continues on a new business complex on the 900 block of Main Street at Auto Center Drive in Watsonville. Santa Cruz Seaside Company spokesperson Kris Reyes said the three-building project includes two restaurants, Chipotle Mexican Grill and The Habit Burger Grill. Reyes has also...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Recycling is an idea that has become deeply embedded in modern culture, so much so that many don’t think twice before placing cans, bottles and cardboard into the appropriate bins. Beginning this year, a new law will let California residents do the same...

CALIFORNIA—Every year, state lawmakers send hundreds of bills to the governor in hopes they will be signed into law. Many do not make the cut, and fall victim to the state’s lengthy legislative process. But last year 770 bills became law, and many became effective...

SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) on Monday unanimously approved a plan to continue with virtual meetings for the coming year, as the Omicron variant of Covid-19 spreads and governing agencies across the state make similar moves. Agencies that are continuing to...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The seventh annual Santa Cruz Gives holiday crowdfunding campaign raised more than $1 million for local nonprofit organizations in 2021. The milestone was reached after the campaign doubled in size, featuring 80 nonprofits on its online platform. Individual donors, matching funds, challenge gifts...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Women in Leadership for Diverse Representation (WILDR) will host a series of free virtual forums aiming to inspire and encourage women to serve in positions of leadership in Santa Cruz County. WILDR was formed last year by Dorian Seamster, who brought together a...

WATSONVILLE—A man was shot in a brazen daylight attack on Madison Street on New Year’s Eve. Watsonville Police Department Sgt. Henry Robles said the suspect, a man in his early 20s wearing black clothing, shot the male victim on the street around 4:30pm near the...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County public health officials are asking that anyone with asymptomatic or mild coronavirus cases—or other non-serious illnesses—stay home and avoid unnecessary trips to already burdened hospital emergency departments. The county also renewed its call for everyone eligible to get vaccinated or...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville residents will have a new representative at the federal level after the June primary following a massive political shift in the recent decennial redistricting process completed last month. Formerly included in the 20th Congressional District with the rest of the Central Coast, Watsonville will...

Emergency officials pull the driver out of a Honda Civic on Hecker Pass Tuesday. The California Highway Patrol said the male driver and a male passenger were traveling east on Hecker Pass Road (Hwy 152) at 2:45pm when the driver lost control. The Honda...