Local News

WATSONVILLE—Since 1983, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services (PVSS) has aimed to address the needs of women and children affected by homelessness in the greater Watsonville area. Founded by Sister Susan Olson and Sister Marie Veronica through Catholic Charities, the organization eventually broke off and became...

WATSONVILLE—In early February of 2020, the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture held its Annual Awards Dinner. It was one of the last major events in South County before the pandemic shut things down six weeks later. The dinner returns this year on July...

WATSONVILLE—Heavily armed police from multiple agencies moved in on a home on the 600 block of Madison Street Thursday and took a man into custody on suspicion of attempted homicide. Watsonville Police Department spokesperson Michelle Pulido said Emmanuel Plascencia, 28, was arrested without incident. Pulido said...

WATSONVILLE—A 55-year-old man was allegedly killed late Tuesday by his 38-year-old brother on the 100 block of Delaney Avenue in the outskirts of Watsonville.  Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Ashley Keehn said detectives believe Seledonio Diaz, of Watsonville, killed his brother Francisco Diaz. Detectives tracked...

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...