Local News

APTOS—More than 50 firefighters from agencies across Santa Cruz County gathered in Aptos Friday morning to commemorate the 19th year since the 9/11 attacks. Using two ladder trucks, the firefighters hoisted a giant flag into the air, and then read the names of their 343...

WATSONVILLE—With distance learning likely to last through the rest of 2020—and possibly extend through June—the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday tentatively approved the district’s Learning Continuity Plan, a 16-page document that seeks to standardize education for the district’s 19,685...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville singer-songwriter Kabwasa will celebrate a major milestone in his career on Sept. 16 by releasing his first full-length studio album, “Maiden Flight.” Born Etienne Kabwasa Green, Kabwasa now lives in Los Angeles, where he made waves in the hip-hop scene even before graduating from...

Editor’s note: This is the second entry in a series of interviews with candidates running for office in the upcoming local elections. Interviewees will include candidates for the Watsonville City Council, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees, the Pajaro Valley Water...

WATSONVILLE—The Covid-19 pandemic has not yet been as harsh on Watsonville’s economy as predicted, but Finance Department Director Cindy Czerwin at Tuesday’s City Council meeting said it is still too early to “feel totally confident” about the City’s financial future. The City’s sales tax revenues...

CENTRAL COAST—Though the CZU August Lightning Complex fire is now more than 86% contained in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the sky and weather do not reflect that progress. An orange-brown layer of smoke blanketed the sky Wednesday and by 3pm it was dark. Similar conditions...

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council approved the fourth change to a contract with Granite Rock for Phase 1 of the City’s segment of the Coastal Rail Trail, bringing the total price for changes to $501,328.94. The most recent contract change—included in the council’s consent agenda of...

WATSONVILLE—Three Watsonville men were arrested Tuesday after they were found with a backpack full of illegal drugs, Watsonville Police spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said. Alexis Colunga, 18, was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and participating in a criminal street gang. Moises Fernandez, 21, faces drug,...

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WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Police on Thursday arrested 27-year-old twin brothers for allegedly stabbing two men on the 100 block of Grant Street on Aug. 30, Watsonville Police spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said. Angel Sanchez was arrested in Watsonville. Victor Sanchez was arrested in San Jose. Both were booked...