Local News

Watsonville may soon draw out designated “no encampment zones” which would bar unhoused individuals from setting up tents, parking RVs or using cooking supplies in certain areas.  Signs would be posted showing a map of the zones.  These areas would be subject to immediate cleanup, and...

Every year, nonprofits set up firework stands throughout the city of Watsonville, with the proceeds going to fund their activities. Sales rubn July 1-4. Their use is only permitted within the cities of Watsonville and Capitola. People using them outside of those places face...

More than 150 law officials—from police and deputies to state park rangers and the Highway Patrol—were joined by 80 firefighters and paramedics over a five-day span in an annual training for active shooter scenarios. Put on by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office at Soquel...

Less than one year after the Pajaro Valley Unified School District approved his $229,000 contract, Chief Business Officer Gerardo Castillo is leaving the district. In an email to teachers and staff Friday morning, PVUSD spokesman Alejandro Chavez said Castillo had resigned and accepted a “new...

Watsonville Community Hospital has appointed veteran healthcare executive Tim Moran as its interim chief executive officer as the community-owned hospital begins a search for a permanent leader. The Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board of Directors unanimously approved Moran's appointment during its June 24 meeting....

The Pajaro Valley Health Care District is seeking community members to serve on the Measure N Citizens’ Oversight Committee, which monitors spending of bond funds approved by voters for improvements at Watsonville Community Hospital. The district board will appoint up to three members to two-year...

Santa Cruz County supervisors are set to make final decisions Wednesday on a proposed $1.3 billion county budget that would restore more than $1 million to the Public Defender's Office while cutting funding for local arts organizations, including a 50% reduction in county support...

Santa Cruz County Supervisor Monica Martinez has been selected as state Sen. John Laird’s 2026 Pride Month honoree and was recognized Tuesday at the California State Capitol during the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus's annual Pride Month celebration. Martinez, who represents Santa Cruz County’s Fifth District...

This story has been updated from a previous version. Tony Nuñez appeared poised to avoid a November runoff in the race for Santa Cruz County's 4th District supervisor seat after the latest election results pushed him just above the threshold needed for an outright victory. In...

On June 24, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees will consider placing a school facilities bond measure on the November ballot that would provide $192 million for repairs and upgrades at the district's 35 schools. The measure, if passed, would not increase...