Local News

WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley Unified School District is asking residents to help honor the district’s 1,179 graduates by turning on their outdoor lights and decorating their yards between May 25-29. The “Lights On Grads” and Yard/Door Decoration Event is a way to give graduating seniors a...

WATSONVILLE—A Watsonville man was taken into custody on suspicion for firing off two shots from a handgun near Watsonville High School as classes were letting out Tuesday. The suspect has since been identified as Rene Alamillo, 27, according to WPD’s spokeswoman Michelle Pulido. Watsonville Police...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville police on Wednesday arrested a man suspected of firing several shots at an occupied vehicle parked on Rio del Pajaro Court on June 18. Jibril Dalmar Abdi was arrested at his residence on Blackbird Circle. He has been charged with attempted murder, burglary and...

SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a slew of proposed changes to the county’s justice system recommended by the Justice and Gender Task Force, a large coalition of lawmakers, public service and nonprofit directors, law enforcement officials and...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—All of the county’s four city police agencies—and the Sheriff’s Office—have similar policies when it comes to use of force and releasing of information to the public, according to a report released in November by the Criminal Justice Council of Santa Cruz...

Farm Discovery at Live Earth will host its annual benefit dinner on Sept. 21, featuring local chefs, farmers, winemakers and artisans, supporting the organization’s many educational programs.

The 13th annual Latino Role Models Conference will be held in-person on March 25 from 9am to 1pm at Cabrillo College Crocker Theater. This free conference is designed to inspire students in grades 6 through college to achieve their dreams for college and career.  Presentations...

According to the California Strawberry Commission, about 90% of all strawberries in the U.S. are grown in California. The fruit thrives in the state, due to its need for year-round moderate weather, which allows its roots to grow strong and stable.  On the Central Coast, consistent...

Santa Cruz Police are looking for man thought to be responsible for setting two fires and vandalizing a building at the Tannery Arts Complex in August.

Three people were arrested Nov. 23 on a string of charges after Watsonville Police got a tip about a stolen pickup. Watsonville Police spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said officers responded to a call about a stolen truck on the 400 block of East Beach Street, where...