Local News

On July 7, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced an expansion of June’s drought emergency proclamation, adding an additional nine counties—including Santa Cruz, Monterey and Santa Clara. The water emergency continues to worsen, and right when wildfires are raging through tens of thousands of acres around the...

No injuries reported.

WATSONVILLE—A line was already forming in front of 7-Eleven on Main Street before 11am on Christmas Eve as people eagerly awaited Santa Claus—and pizza. Sherry Dang and Kirk di Cicco, owners of local franchised 7-Elevens, handed out 500 free pizzas at the store, plus 200...

Observations from around the Pajaro Valley.

WATSONVILLE—The booming explosions and aerial displays that typically ring in celebratory moments, have become a noisy plague on Watsonville residents who are calling on city government to step up its enforcement of illegal fireworks and possibly outlaw the sale of the ‘safe-and-sane’ variety. Watsonville Mayor...

PAJARO VALLEY—The Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency (PRFMA) recently released a draft of its engineer’s report for an assessment related to the long-awaited reconstruction of the Pajaro River levee, giving the public a chance to submit comments in advance of the agency’s Board of...

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...

Pajaro Valley Arts is preparing for its first show in 2026, an annual members’ exhibit titled “Welcome Home.”  Curated by first-time curator Jim Turner, the exhibit will feature 150 artists and will run from Jan. 13-Feb. 21 in the historic Porter Building in downtown Watsonville.  “We...