Mobile crisis center helps South County’s young people
WATSONVILLE—Young people in South County suffering from mental health crises now have the option of a response that does not have to involve hospitalization.
The South County Mobile Emergency Response Team for Youth (MERTY) was created to provide community and field-based crisis intervention services to...
Sheriff’s Office seeks info on Hwy 129 crash
WATSONVILLE—The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help from the public in gaining information about a vehicle crash early Tuesday on the outskirts of Watsonville.
Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Ashley Keehn in a Facebook post said that sometime between 4-6am there was a solo-vehicle...
New businesses flock to Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—Several new businesses are in the works around Watsonville, all forging ahead despite the looming cloud of the pandemic.
A new drive-thru Starbucks in Watsonville Square, a Mexican food restaurant in the historic Mansion House, a panaderia (bakery) on East Fifth Street and a taqueria...
Maddy Middleton’s killer pleads guilty, could be released at 25
SANTA CRUZ—The man who was 15 when he kidnapped, raped and murdered 8-year-old Madyson “Maddy” Middleton in 2015 pleaded guilty to the charges on Tuesday, setting the stage for a sentencing that could see him released by the time he is 25.
That is because...
Local bands perform virtual show in San Francisco
On April 3, two local bands were invited to perform at a special live streamed concert at The Complex, a recording and production space in the heart of San Francisco.
Bayview, a three-piece rock group made up of school friends Adam Renteria, Keith Rayburn and...
Watsonville man injured in honey oil lab explosion
PRUNEDALE—A 35-year-old Watsonville man was injured in a butane honey oil lab explosion in Prunedale Monday.
Francisco Ponce was in the area when Monterey County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at the 16000 block of Meridian Road around 3pm to investigate a report of an explosion.
Ponce...
Johnson & Johnson pause not expected to slow county’s vaccine efforts
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Though the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be delayed for an undetermined amount of time, the pause of the single-dose inoculation is not expected to significantly slow the county’s vaccination efforts.
That’s according to Santa Cruz County spokesman Jason Hoppin,...
Mass vaccine clinic hopes to reach Pajaro, Las Lomas residents
PAJARO—A mass vaccination clinic in Pajaro aimed at North Monterey County residents struggling to find the vaccine will go on as planned Friday, thanks to quick work from Dignity Health-Dominican Hospital and organizer Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance (PVPSA).
PVPSA CEO Erica Padilla-Chavez says...
All-girls pump track clinic held at Ramsay Park
WATSONVILLE—A group of young girls aged 6 to 11 lined up with their bikes at Ramsay Park on Sunday afternoon, eager to learn about riding the park’s new pump track.
The free clinic was organized by Bike Santa Cruz County with the help of the...
Two bodies pulled from sunken vehicle in Moss Landing Harbor
MOSS LANDING—Two women died after their car plunged into the water of Moss Landing Harbor sometime late Friday night or early Saturday morning.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has identified the victims as Maria Vanessa Carrango, 35, and Esther Monique Espinoza, 28, both of Salinas....
Aptos advances to finals for first time in program’s history |...
Aptos was given little to no chance of making a Central Coast Section title run this year after it earned the No. 7 seed...
