Local News

WATSONVILLE—In the middle of her eighth grade year Nicole Hernandez was looking for a change. She was attending Aptos Junior High, but said she never felt like she fit in there. At Pacific Coast Charter School (PCCS) in Watsonville, Hernandez found what she was searching...

WATSONVILLE—A man accused of shooting at several people outside of a Watsonville home was arrested within 10 minutes of the reported Saturday afternoon incident. Watsonville Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said Stephen Vitela, 23, fired several rounds at people outside of a home on the...

WATSONVILLE—When the city of Watsonville initiated several cost-saving measures as the Covid-19 pandemic began to take hold in March 2020, the City Council froze four positions in the police department, and two in the fire department. None of these were filled positions, but the move...

After nine years, Wargin Wines will be moving its production and tasting room out of Watsonville—at least for the time being. The winery, which was established in December of 2012, was one of the first wineries to settle in the Pajaro Valley in recent years....

WATSONVILLE—In a gathering outside of the Civic Plaza in downtown Watsonville on May 28, mayor Jimmy Dutra and the city of Watsonville raised the rainbow Pride Flag in honor of LGBTQ Pride Month. Celebrated annually in June, Pride Month acknowledges the 1969 Stonewall Riots in...

WATSONVILLE—A temporary protected bike and pedestrian path on Green Valley Road between Amesti Road and Pinto Lake City Park officially opened May 28.  The path, installed by the County of Santa Cruz, serves as a preview for area residents and students of nearby Amesti Elementary School...

WATSONVILLE—St. Francis High School (SFHS) was a big part of Maureen Kelly’s life even before she enrolled as a student there. Her father was a basketball coach for the school, and her older siblings had all attended. So when she arrived, it was like coming...

WATSONVILLE—An alleged Watsonville gang member was arrested Thursday, and a handgun was taken off the street following the service of a search warrant. Watsonville Police spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said officers from the Special Investigations Unit arrested Rigoberto Lopez, 28, for being a felon in possession...

WATSONVILLE—Jesus Morales and Wendy Ortega are among 82 students that graduated Thursday from Watsonville/Aptos/Santa Cruz Adult Education, earning high school diplomas, GEDs, clinical medical assistant and certified nursing certificates and U.S. citizenship, among other certifications. Their stories are examples of the people who come to...

WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of trustees on Wednesday took another step toward revamping its bylaws with the first reading of a series of recommended changes. The trustees will vote on approving the changes during the June 9 meeting. If approved, trustees who miss...