Local News

Pajaro Valley High School graduate Julissa Rocha said her time in high school had its ups and downs, but the support from her community pushed her to be the best person and student she is today.  Rocha noted the difficulties during her time in high...

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office identified the motorcyclist that died July 1 in a crash on Bridge Street as German Melgoza Menchaca, 28, of Watsonville, Public Information Officer Ashley Keehn said. Shown here, an altar of flowers, candles, notes and photos has been...

A Santa Cruz County organization that helps young people embroiled in the juvenile court system has taken on a new role: working with those who are chronically absent from school and involved with truancy court. In taking on that role, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)...

Volunteers who devote their time to the benefit of the community were honored Thursday evening during the 16th annual Cesar E. Chavez Community Awards ceremony.

WATSONVILLE—California State Senator John Laird joined forces with the California National Guard and the Second Harvest Food Bank Friday during a food distribution at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. “This is an unprecedented private and public partnership with a huge helping hand from the State...

“This is a game changer,” Gov. Gavin Newsom exulted last week during a news conference. “We are very, very enthusiastic.” Was he talking about his recent coronavirus vaccination? The latest poll in the recall campaign? No, he was reveling in news from what has long been California’s sweet...

WATSONVILLE—In spring 2018 Watsonville nonprofit Regeneración: Pajaro Valley Climate Action held a special event to announce results of a landmark community survey.  The event brought together a number of agencies and residents, and its success prompted the organization to kickstart an annual forum, aiming to...

WATSONVILLE—A Watsonville woman was arrested Monday for causing a major injury while driving under the influence of alcohol, California Highway Patrol officer Sam Courtney said. Maia Cahill, 46, was charged with DUI causing injury. She was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of...

MONTEREY COUNTY—Monterey County health officials on Saturday announced the first death of a county resident that had been diagnosed with COVID-19. Officials said the victim was an “adult individual” who had an “underlying health condition” that made them more susceptible to the highly-contagious virus that...