RTC cuts ties with Progressive Rail
After months of stalled negotiations, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission has moved to end its operating agreement with Progressive Rail Incorporated on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line, a step the agency says will help advance the Coastal Rail Trail and preserve...
Locally-made film ‘They Know Not What They Do’ ready to be aired
Two years after a group of independent filmmakers hit the streets of Watsonville with a car rigged with cameras and an assemblage of audio and lighting equipment, the movie that came from it is ready to be aired.
Oscar Ramos, who wrote and directed the...
County opposes offshore drilling proposal
Santa Cruz County on Tuesday formally opposed a federal proposal that could allow new offshore oil and gas leasing off the California coast.
The Board of Supervisors submitted comments to the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management objecting to...
Water main work heads down Union Street
A major water main replacement project in Watsonville is now moving along Union Street as part of the ongoing citywide Water Main Replacement Program.
The project, which began on West Beach between Rodriuez and Main streets in October, continued eastward across Main Street, up East...
City Council approves draft parking ordinance
The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday approved an ordinance that largely prohibits oversized vehicles from parking on city streets, while adding several exceptions at the request of council members.
As originally written, the ordinance would have barred vehicles more than 7 feet tall, 7 1/2...
Cabrillo board approves new $306K president contract
The Cabrillo College Board of Trustees on Tuesday approved a contract for Jenn Capps to be its new President and Superintendent.
Capps’ 3 1/2-year contract—which includes an option to renew—includes a $306,000 salary, a $4,885 yearly doctoral stipend and a $667 monthly car allowance, along...
Doctors warn of death cap mushroom poisoning
Poisonous death cap mushrooms have sickened people in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, according to a statewide list of areas reporting severe illnesses.
A group of California doctors warned Wednesday that foraging for wild mushrooms can be deadly, after an unusually high number of people...
PV Arts readies first show of 2026
Pajaro Valley Arts is preparing for its first show in 2026, an annual members’ exhibit titled “Welcome Home.”
Curated by first-time curator Jim Turner, the exhibit will feature 150 artists and will run from Jan. 13-Feb. 21 in the historic Porter Building in downtown Watsonville.
“We...
Annual Santa Cruz Fungus Fair approaches
The Santa Cruz Fungus Fair is set to run Jan. 9-11 in Santa Cruz.
Without fungus, there would be no bread, cheese, beer, or wine, the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz says. Further, anti-cholesterol medicine was developed from mushrooms.
The public is invited to the Santa...
Santa Cruz County Fair theme announced
The folks at the Santa Cruz County Fair have chosen a theme for the 2026 fair: “Apple Pies and Starry Skies!”
“This winning theme for...
