The story behind the art of Yermo Aranda
The public got a chance to hear Watsonville artist Yermo Aranda talk about his lengthy contributions to the art world on Jan. 31 at a talk at the Santa Cruz Art League.
Aranda and about 60 guests sat in the center of the current exhibit,...
Santa Cruz Burger Week plates up for the ninth year
Santa Cruz Burger Week returns for its ninth year next month, offering diners a chance to sample creative takes on a classic favorite.
The 12-day event, presented by Santa Cruz Restaurant Week and Good Times, runs Feb. 25 through March 8 and features specially priced...
Capitola Ave. Bridge opens after 2-year rebuild
The new Capitola Avenue overcrossing at Highway 1 opened to the public last week after a two-year closure.
The heavily-used corridor for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians between Soquel and Capitola villages is the first completed component of the Highway 1 Auxiliary Lanes and Bus-on-Shoulder Project...
Jim Barsi—owner of Barsi’s Liquor Store—dies
James Joseph “Jim” Barsi, who ran his eponymous liquor store on East Lake Avenue for a half-century before selling the business and retiring in 2019, died on Jan. 26. He was 83.
Eddie Casillas said he began working for Barsi when he was 16, and...
Watsonville Airport prepares for Super Bowl arrivals
Though Super Bowl 60 will take place Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, Watsonville will roll out its own red carpet at Watsonville Municipal Airport this week.
Shaz Roth, CEO of the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, said preparations are under way to welcome...
Watsonville Plaza project moves ahead
A crew from Community Tree Service removed several large trees and trimmed back several others Monday and Tuesday at Watsonville Plaza as part of phase 1 of the ongoing Plaza Revitalization Project.
Bob Berry of Watsonville Public Works and Utilities, said the removal of some...
Elias Gonzales to challenge Hernandez for supervisor seat
Lifelong Watsonville resident and community advocate Elias Gonzalez announced Monday that he is running for 4th District supervisor. He is up against incumbent Felipe Hernandez, who has served on the board of supervisors since 2022.
Gonzalez has a long career history in community organizing, working...
County officials vow to oppose immigration officials
Santa Cruz County Sheriff Chris Clark told reporters Thursday that local law enforcement will not cooperate with federal officials if they come to the Central Coast as part of the Trump administration’s hardline immigration policy.
Clark spoke at a press conference led by Rep. Jimmy...
Santa Cruz, Monterey counties to test wireless emergency system Thursday
Officials in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties will conduct a test of the Wireless Emergency Alert system on Thursday, sending emergency messages to mobile phones in flood inundation zones near the Pajaro River.
The test is scheduled for about 3pm and is part of ongoing...
Panetta tells businesses he’ll fight offshore oil drilling
Since November, local business leaders have grown concerned about the impacts that offshore oil drilling may have on the region’s economy, after the Trump...
