Local News

AROMAS—The community of Aromas is home to about 2,650 residents. The rural area is nestled in the juncture between Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties, and attracts a variety of people, including many retirees, artists, farmers, nature lovers and activists.  But is also home...

WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley High senior Elvia Rodriguez along with members of the Grizzlies’ softball team finally got a chance to test out their new field.     Last week, the team held a private ribbon cutting ceremony and gave a toast with a glass of Martineli’s Sparkling Cider...

WATSONVILLE—St. Francis High School girls’ basketball coach Randy Braga—who led the Sharks to three-straight Central Coast Section Division V championships—will not make a return to the sidelines this year. Athletic Director Adam Hazel issued a press release March 24 stating that Braga stepped down from...

WATSONVILLE—California Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) has announced the launch of a new business center in Watsonville for women entrepreneurs. El Pájaro Women’s Business Center (WBC) will be formed through El Pájaro Community Development Corporation (CDC), a local nonprofit organization aiming to promote equal access...

Editor's note: This story was updated from an earlier version to correct errors in reporting. About 100 Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) classified workers—bus drivers, mechanics, janitors and food services employees, among others—gathered in front of district headquarters in Watsonville Wednesday calling for...

Facing the stone archway of St. Joseph’s Salesian Youth Retreat Center outside Los Angeles, the dark wooden coffin holding the body of Juan Jiménez was wheeled next to a band of masked mariachis. The group readied themselves to play, simultaneously lifting bows to violins,...

Watsonville Police officers lead suspect Joel Navarro to a patrol car Tuesday after they caught him with a knife, chasing another man. WPD spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said it appears Navarro and the victim got into a verbal altercation before Navarro brandished a knife and...

WATSONVILLE—Although the city of Watsonville has made modest gains in its state-mandated housing goals, it will need to nearly triple the number of units it has built over the past five years before 2023. That sobering reality presented to the City Council at its virtual...

WATSONVILLE—The County of Santa Cruz Department of Public Works has announced that Green Valley Road in Watsonville, from Celia Drive to Paulsen Road, will be subject to daily closure between 8:30am and 4:30pm, starting Wednesday and running through April 14, weather permitting. The road will...

SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a transition plan to create a county-run public defender’s office, which includes hiring staff and a chief public defender. County officials are now in talks with attorneys working for Biggam, Christensen and Minsloff (BCM),...