Monthly benefit for families with children starts Thursday
WATSONVILLE—Congressman Jimmy Panetta visited Watsonville Monday to announce the first payments of the expanded Child Tax Credit included in President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Starting July 15, eligible parents will receive their first monthly payment of up to $300 per child under...
Two dispensaries receive Planning Commission approval
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville will soon see its first cannabis dispensaries set up shop after two businesses received planning commission approval at Tuesday night’s virtual meeting.
Berryessa Holdings, LLC and Charlie Mike, Inc. both got the green light by a unanimous vote. The former will serve customers at...
Two killed in Monterey plane crash
MONTEREY—Two people aboard a twin-engine propellor airplane died Tuesday morning after the small aircraft slammed into a home in Monterey off of Highway 68.
Eric Gutierrez, a safety investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, confirmed Wednesday that two people died when the Golden Eagle...
Work on Riverside-Lakeview roundabout continues
WATSONVILLE—Work continues on the major redesign of the heavily-traveled intersection of Highway 129 (Riverside Road) at Lakeview Road just east of Watsonville.
Caltrans spokesperson Kevin Drabinski said the project, which got underway in the spring, calls for the construction of a roundabout at the busy...
Grand Jury reports call for jail oversight, praise PVUSD’s covid response
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury has released the results of its eight latest investigations, which typically delve into the inner workings of county and city governmental operations.
While the subjects of the investigations are required to submit responses, they do not...
Four men shot in Castroville, 3 dead
CASTROVILLE—Three men were killed and another was injured by gunfire early Monday in Castroville during a party that spilled out onto the streets.
On Tuesday the victims were identified as Julian Gallegos, 30, Jeff Robles, 21, and Juliani Robles, 21—all of Salinas—according to the Monterey...
Woman who drove into deputy sentenced to 16 years
SANTA CRUZ—A woman who stole a Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office cruiser and then struck a deputy in an attempt to escape arrest three years ago was sentenced Friday to 16 years in state prison.
Jessica May Lowe, 30, has been held without bail in...
Physician weighs in on sun exposure, skin protection this summer
Summer is in full swing, and with Covid-19 restrictions loosening more every day, people are once again heading outside for some warm, seasonal fun.
But all outdoor activities come with built-in risk. Too much exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause everything from...
Two cannabis dispensaries seek Watsonville Planning Commission’s OK
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Planning Commission will review plans for two proposed cannabis dispensaries at its July 13 meeting.
Bryce Berryessa of Berryessa Holdings, LLC, and Jason Sweatt of Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance, Inc. are both expected to present to the commission at its monthly virtual meeting.
Berryessa...
Santa Cruz County Fair plans full return
WATSONVILLE—Organizers for the Santa Cruz County Fair say they are preparing for a complete in-person return of the annual event in September.
Carnival rides, livestock shows, floriculture, arts and crafts, the Agricultural History Project, food booths, the pumpkin contest and the apple pie contest—they’re all...
Thousands attend No Kings rallies
Thousands of people crowded into Watsonville Plaza and surrounding streets Saturday as part of the nationwide No Kings protest against President Trump, his administration...
