Local News

Join us in Celebrating the Health Trust's 20th Anniversary at the Evening of Wine and Roses! The flavors of community, in service of good health! The Evening of Wine & Roses fundraiser features more than 20 wineries from the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation; tastes from area restaurants, caterers and brewers; immersion in an atmosphere of locally grown roses and exquisite flowers, complemented by silent and live auctions featuring celebrated wines and other unique gifts. Also…try your luck in a Vacation Raffle - a chance to win a getaway for two to your choice of tropical paradises: Cancun, Mexico or Key West, Florida $100 per ticket - only 200 tickets available for sale! Second prize: $1,000 CASH 100% of net event proceeds support health promotion programs for Pajaro Valley residents. Must be 21 and over to attend

SOQUEL—Two employees who work at the Safeway grocery store on 41st Avenue in Soquel have tested positive for Covid-19, company spokeswoman Wendy Gutshall said. One employee has not worked since May 23, and the second since May 30, she said. “That store has been through multiple...

WATSONVILLE—The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is reaching out to the community for help in solving a 1995 homicide in Watsonville. Investigators say that Gloria Hassemer’s body was found along the Pajaro River Levee near the Highway 1 overcrossing on June 10, 1995. Hassemer, 41,...

SANTA CRUZ—A recent clash between a Santa Cruz restaurant owner and a mobile hot dog vendor has drawn countywide attention, forcing one restaurant to close its doors and prompting demonstrations that have drawn hundreds of supporters. According to Santa Cruz Police spokeswoman Joyce Blaschke, the...

WATSONVILLE—McDonald’s restaurant, one of the business pillars of the Freedom Boulevard corridor in Watsonville since 1974, was torn into by a demolition crew Monday. Armed with a massive excavator, the team from A&S Metals grabbed hunks of the building starting at 8:15am inside a chain-link...

Peanut brittle, milk, dark and white chocolates, pecan buds, hazelnut truffles, butterscotch squares, chocolate walnut fudge—does this list have your attention? If so, good news is here: See’s Candies has opened a pop-up store in Watsonville as a test run. Situated in Watsonville Square, a few...

WATSONVILLE—The City of Watsonville recently released a survey that aims to gather the community’s opinions, questions, concerns and dreams about the city’s downtown corridor. The survey will help guide the City while it develops the Downtown Watsonville Specific Plan, which will serve as a blueprint...

WATSONVILLE—Two men accused of stealing an SUV were arrested Monday after an off-duty Watsonville Police officer spotted the pair casing vehicles in a neighborhood off of Lighthouse Drive. Christian Torres, 18, and Jesus Torres, 19, face charges for vehicle theft, petty theft, and for obstructing...

The Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau (SCCFB) was honored with five County Activities of Excellence Awards, and was a finalist in the statewide Innovator Awards at the California Farm Bureau’s 104th meeting in early December. A local delegation of five attended the annual meeting in...

An 18-year-old Watsonville man was arrested Friday morning on suspicion of attempted murder.  Watsonville Police spokeswoman MIchelle Pulido said detectives served multiple search warrants linked to this case and arrested the suspect, Antwan Magaña. On Feb. 10, WPD Officers responded to reports of a shooting on...