A sunset scene | About Town
I covered a shooting in Santa Cruz yesterday by Dominican Hospital. Witnesses said it was a young Latino male. They said they heard three of four shots and then saw a black BMW sedan tear away. The Sheriff’s Office said it appears the victim...
Watsonville Police seeking hit-and-run driver
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Police Department is asking for help from the community to find a driver who struck and seriously injured a woman early Sunday morning before fleeing.
The crash occurred just before 5 a.m. on the 1000 block of Freedom Boulevard.
The victim, who is in...
PHOTO: Traditional steps in downtown Watsonville
Musicians, dancers and the public take part in a Mexican holiday tradition called La Rama Friday night in Watsonville Plaza. The first-ever such event in Watsonville was hosted by students in the dance class, Estrellas de Esperanza, taught by Ruby Vasquez. The purpose of...
Newsom signs bill to fast-track Pajaro Levee work
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday signed legislation that will expedite the reconstruction of the Pajaro River Levee, moving construction start and completion time years earlier than anticipated.
Assembly Bill 876 fast-tracks the work by exempting the project from certain local environmental laws and regulations under...
County Clerk: election theft very unlikely
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Just as he did with the 2016 presidential election, President Donald Trump is making accusations of a rigged and fraudulent election in 2020.
But how easy is it to “steal” an election?
Ask Santa Cruz County Clerk Gail Pellerin. She’s been the head of...
Head of local farmers market takes over Pinto Lake City Park
WATSONVILLE—A familiar face has stepped in as the new operator of Pinto Lake City Park.
Jesus Madrigal, the president of the Watsonville Farmers Market, was recently named concessionaire for the city’s share of Pinto Lake. His company’s vision for the 78-acre park—70 of which are...
Families in need get free diapers
Second Harvest Food Bank hosted a free pop-up diaper distribution for families in need Tuesday at Watsonville Community Hospital.
According to the National Diaper Bank Network, nearly one in two U.S. households with young children endure “diaper insecurity,” Luisa Olivares of Second Harvest said.
So far...
County Supervisors ban ‘discriminatory reports’ to law enforcement
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved an ordinance that prohibits so-called “discriminatory reports” to law enforcement, and allows victims to seek financial compensation when it happens to them.
Discriminatory reporting was brought to public light in 2020, when...
Sheriff’s Office unveils ‘less-lethal’ devices
APTOS—Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies have a new tool to help them arrest uncooperative suspects without serious injury.
Dozens of sheriff’s office personnel on Wednesday were training on the use of the Bola Wrap, a handheld device that fires an 8-foot cord with barbed hooks...
Pajaro Valley Health Care District seeks applicants for Measure N oversight...
The Pajaro Valley Health Care District is seeking community members to serve on the Measure N Citizens’ Oversight Committee, which monitors spending of bond...
