Local News

MONTEREY BAY—After 16 years of drawing birders from around the globe, with its wide array of guided field trips with expert birders, lectures, workshops and samples of local foods and drinks, the Monterey Bay Birding Festival has reached its end. “Due to the Covid-19 pandemic,...

PAJARO—A longtime Royal Oaks resident, Graniterock employee and community organizer on Wednesday announced his run for the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. Steve Snodgrass, 66, has served as Graniterock’s Chief Financial Officer for 35 years, and plans to retire early next year. That experience, he...

WATSONVILLE—Santa Cruz METRO has taken a big step in combating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with the launch of two new electric buses, which will operate on a new route through the city of Watsonville. On Tuesday METRO staff, along with city officials, representatives from electric...

WATSONVILLE—Mexican Independence Day is Sept. 16, and the Watsonville Film Festival (WFF) is teaming up with two Bay Area organizations to bring a celebratory event to the community. Celebrando La Cultura, to be held Sept. 15-18, will include film, music and dance. It begins with...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Police are investigating a burst of gunfire that rattled a neighborhood Monday on the 700 block of Lincoln Street. WPD Master Officer Charles Bailey said police responded to multiple calls regarding shots fired around 5:45pm. When officers arrived they found around 20 shell casings...

A man died late Saturday night in a fire that destroyed a mobile home in Watsonville.

The Fire in the Sky and airport open house event will return to Watsonville Municipal Airport on Sept. 4, bringing with it, among other things, a fireworks show, food vendors and a flyover. The free event starts at 6:30pm. Masks will be required and a...

APTOS—Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said during a community forum Thursday night that the two suspects who stabbed their 17-year-old classmate to death on Tuesday at Aptos High School were “gang-involved,” and that they will likely face gang enhancement charges from the District...

APTOS—Cabrillo College is planning to host a series of 90-minute community discussions in September and October as college officials weigh changing the school’s name. The first three sessions are scheduled for Sept. 21, 23 and 30. All three will be conducted via Zoom. Cabrillo wrapped up...

WATSONVILLE—Teams of volunteers are working to set the stage for the Santa Cruz County Fair, which returns from a one-year hiatus later this month. From flower plantings to applying fresh coats of paint, volunteers and staff are readying the fairgrounds for a full schedule of...