Local News

I recently visited Farley's Christmas Wonderland at 108 Seaview Ave. in Santa Cruz to witness, by far, the most amazing residential Christmas display. For years it has been a major draw for the public with more than 30 fully decorated Christmas trees, miniature snowy...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) will provide free local transit rides county-wide, including the Hwy-17 Express, on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.  In a press release, the transportation agency stated: “METRO would like to express our gratitude to all essential...

WATSONVILLE—Two weeks ago, a group of nurses from Watsonville Community Hospital held a roadside demonstration in an attempt to stop hospital officials from increasing nurse-to-patient ratios. They were expected to be back Wednesday, starting at 3:30pm, for a second similar demonstration on Airport Boulevard. Their...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz Gives, an annual holiday fundraising campaign organized by Good Times (GT) and the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County (VSCC), is accepting donations through midnight Dec. 31. Choose from 40 local nonprofit organizations to donate to at santacruzgives.org. Each nonprofit has...

AROMAS—A Watsonville man was arrested Monday after an illegal butane honey oil lab at his residence exploded, seriously injuring a woman. Jason Mendez, 22, was charged with manufacturing a controlled substance, arson and other drug-related charges. He was not in custody at Monterey County Jail...

CENTRAL COAST—An estimated 10 million people took to the skies over the Christmas holiday despite being urged by health officials, law agencies and politicians around the country, and locally, to stay at home and not continue to spread the coronavirus through gatherings. Despite regional lockdowns...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—More than one million people have so far received a Covid-19 vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control.  These “frontline” workers in tier 1a of the state’s protocol include health care workers, first responders and other people who interact directly with patients.  In...

Editor's note: This story has been updated from an earlier version. WATSONVILLE—Nearly four dozen residents of Watsonville Nursing Center have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in a new outbreak at the local skilled nursing facility. According to a post on its website, WNC Administrator Rae...

WATSONVILLE—A line was already forming in front of 7-Eleven on Main Street before 11am on Christmas Eve as people eagerly awaited Santa Claus—and pizza. Sherry Dang and Kirk di Cicco, owners of local franchised 7-Elevens, handed out 500 free pizzas at the store, plus 200...

Editor's note: This story was updated from a previous version. WATSONVILLE—A fire at an apartment complex on Clifford Avenue late Christmas Eve displaced 20 people and severely damaged four adjoining units, Watsonville Fire Battalion Chief Kirt Vojvoda said. According to Vojvoda, the blaze began at about...