Local News

Staff of Life natural food store opened its second location Tuesday, a little more than two years after announcing it would make the move to the East Lake Village Shopping Center in Watsonville. Dozens of local leaders showed to the ribbon cutting ceremony Monday,...

WATSONVILLE—The Friends of Watsonville Parks and Community Services on Tuesday honored seven individuals, two organizations and a school at the 19th annual Cesar Chavez Awards. The event was held virtually and featured appearances from Watsonville Mayor Jimmy Dutra and State Assemblymember Robert Rivas, the representative...

On Friday, as part of the monthly First Friday Art Tour around Santa Cruz County, Arte del Corazón will return as "Easter Mercado Artesanal" in Romo Park, across Main Street from the City Plaza. Organizer Monica Galvan said the event, which coincides with the...

Watsonville Fire Capt. Rick Pettigrew (left) assists his crew in knocking down a wild land fire Tuesday that broke out in the Watsonville Slough brush-lands near the corner of Main Street at Ohlone Parkway. Firefighters tackled the 3pm blaze within 20 minutes after multiple...

Watsonville police take a man into custody along Riverside Drive Monday on suspicion of theft. Sgt. Donny Thul said witnesses called police to report a theft from a car in progress around 2pm on the 200 block of Locust Street. When police arrived they...

Santa Cruz County will move to the orange tier of the state’s reopening plan tomorrow, the county confirmed in a press release today.  The orange-tier status that takes effect at midnight tonight will mean retail can operate at full capacity. Restaurants, places of worship, movie theaters and...

APTOS—Almost two years after a fire, The Hideout restaurant in Aptos is back up to speed with a slightly expanded building, modern upgrades and nearly a full menu. The popular eatery reopened March 22. It underwent a major demolition and rebuild following the May 2019...

WATSONVILLE—The Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League boys cross country championships have traditionally produced several epic finishes. This season was no different. Aptos High senior Ben Laughlin and Scotts Valley junior Jeremy Kain made last week’s race another one to remember, as they battled until the very...

WATSONVILLE—When the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League was given the green light to allow the cross country season to proceed, most coaches and students figured they’d get to at least one or two meets, at the most.  Six weeks later and with no reported Covid-19...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—For the past 19 years, the Celebrate Piano Ensemble (CPE) has provided local pianists a way to explore pieces for two pianos (four to eight hands), all the while aiming to benefit school-age music students in Santa Cruz County. CPE’s annual February concert...