Local News

SANTA CRUZ—The man who was 15 when he kidnapped, raped and murdered 8-year-old Madyson “Maddy” Middleton and then dumped her body in a recycling bin was sentenced Tuesday to juvenile prison until he turns 25 in October 2024. Adrian “A.J.” Gonzalez, now 21, must also...

SANTA CRUZ—Monte Vista Christian School senior Shayna Lebovitz was on a mission Saturday afternoon, taking home the gold in four events at the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League track and field championships.  She won the 300-meter hurdles in 48.92 seconds, the high jump in 5...

SANTA CRUZ—Monte Vista Christian senior Daniel Castillo was lights out in four events at the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League track and field championships, including a win in the 110-meter hurdles in 17.50 seconds.  His performance at Harbor High on April 24 was good enough...

WATSONVILLE—A 31-year-old Bakersfield man suspected of shooting a 24-year-old Watsonville man multiple times earlier this year was arrested on April 24. Watsonville Police believe Edgar Patino on Feb. 28 shot a Watsonville resident in the parking lot of the Stone Creek Apartments on 300 Bree...

Americans who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus no longer need to wear masks outdoors if they’re walking, running, hiking or biking, either alone or with members of their household, and in small outdoor gatherings, federal health officials announced on Tuesday. The risk of the...

PAJARO VALLEY—The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency Board of Directors on April 21 approved a rate increase that board member and local farmer Javier Zamora said will be a “very difficult pill to swallow.” PVWMA customers—consisting of residents living in the rural regions of South...

MONTEREY COUNTY—The winding and hilly Highway 1 with dramatic views of the rocky Pacific shore of California has reopened after being severed by a powerful storm in January. Caltrans spokesperson Colin Jones said that Highway 1 at Rat Creek in Monterey County opened one week...

Watsonville City Attorney Alan Smith, who has held the position for 25 years, has announced his retirement and plans to work through December, City Manager Matt Huffaker confirmed Friday.

A new cookbook that will highlight treasured recipes from around the Pajaro Valley, from the time-tested, old faithful delights to the experiments that, at first try, ended in a stovetop disaster.   Drummed up by the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, the first-ever such...

BOULDER CREEK — A man who refused to drop a machete when confronted by deputies, after reportedly breaking into a trailer in Boulder Creek, was arrested Tuesday. Santa Cruz County spokeswoman Ashley Keehn said deputies received a report of a man walking into a tent...