Local News

A Santa Cruz man has been arrested on suspicion of drugging a woman at a local bar. Ashley Keehn, spokeswoman for the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, said that on July 19 Christopher Riviello, 33, was arrested on multiple felony charges related to intentionally drugging...

A weekly column that celebrates local businesses — especially eateries, watering holes, coffee shops and the like.

The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday will discuss whether former board president Georgia Acosta had the authority to use an attorney to advise the board, after she and three other members abruptly fired Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez.

In partnership with the city of Watsonville and the “Trash Talkers” volunteer group, Santa Cruz County on Dec. 17 hosted a cleanup along Corralitos Creek near Airport Boulevard and Pajaro Lane to highlight the expansion of the Community Action Board’s Watsonville Works program. Volunteers helped...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The first day of spring blew its way into the Central Coast Tuesday, toppling trees and power lines across roadways and buildings across the county. Winds estimated as high as 80 miles per hour are pounding the region, causing chaos on the roadways...

Todd McFarren, who sat on the Watsonville City Council from 1989–98—including two stints as Mayor—who served as a U.S. Marine sergeant in the Vietnam War, and who as an attorney was known to fight fiercely for the “little guy” during his career spanning three...

WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley Arts has officially opened its newest exhibit, “Campesinos: Workers of the Land,” to view virtually on its website during shelter-in-place. The exhibit, curated by Gabriel J. Medina and Judy Stabile, celebrates the contributions of agricultural farmworkers, and has been in the works since...

WATSONVILLE—A locally brewed project of painting mile markers along the Pajaro River and Salsipuedes Creek levee system came to fruition Wednesday. Buoyed by a large pack of community members, Watsonville City Councilmember Ari Parker, Santa Cruz County Supervisor Greg Caput, city and county workers and...

WATSONVILLE—Last Thursday Rev. Robin Mathews-Johnson, who has served as pastor of the Watsonville First United Methodist Church since 1999, was given a fond farewell as she moved on to her new assignment at a church in Fresno. The event, organized by her congregation and the...

WATSONVILLE—National Night Out unfolded Tuesday night in a wealth of Watsonville neighborhoods as an effort to bring the community closer to its law enforcement officials. With a format similar to a block party, Watsonville Police and Fire, Santa Cruz County Sheriff's deputies and city officials...