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May 18, 2026

Photo: PG&E truck overturns after hillside gives way

A large section of Valencia School Road in Aptos slid down a hillside, taking a PG&E utility truck along with it just past midnight on Thursday. A 50-foot swath of asphalt road and earth gave way, making the road impassable. California Highway Patrol officer...

‘Steady’ coach Gene Johnson dies

WATSONVILLE–Gene Johnson, who coached nearly six decades in Santa Cruz County, died Jan. 14, two days shy of his 95th birthday. He spent the last year and a half at Valley Convalescent Hospital in Watsonville with his wife, Doris, where they celebrated their 73rd anniversary...

Hampton Inn set to open in March

WATSONVILLE — The new Hampton Inn & Suites on Lee Road is slated for an early March opening. Owner Juggy Tut said he is excited about the doors finally swinging open at the 112-room, four-story inn that has largely been constructed during the pandemic. “We’re looking...

Man arrested for felony vandalism, weapons charges

A Watsonville man suspected of being a gang member was arrested Tuesday for felony vandalism after allegedly scrawling graffiti on a public mural.

Santa Cruz homeless camp to stay open, judge rules

santa cruz county homelessness plan
SANTA CRUZ—A federal judge on Jan. 20 granted a preliminary injunction stopping the city of Santa Cruz from closing a homeless camp in San Lorenzo Park that has swelled to nearly 200 residents since people started moving there in July. The order, signed by Magistrate...

Heavy rains to move on

CENTRAL COAST—Heavy rain has drenched the Central Coast over the past few days leading to evacuations, road closures and flooding. While the first half of January was dry, leaving the window open for fears of a drought, the powerful rains have ushered in a new...

San Francisco jettisons schools named after Washington, Lincoln

George Washington
By Bryan PietschSchools named for historical figures, including Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, as well as current ones, like Sen. Dianne Feinstein, are set to be renamed. Following the unrest in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, which led to the killing of a protester by a...

PVUSD abruptly fires superintendent

Michelle Rodriguez PVUSD
WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday fired Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez after a closed-session meeting that delayed the beginning of the public session by more than two hours. The decision came after a 4-3 vote, with trustees Jennifer Holm, Maria Orozco...

Local personal trainer launches new business

WATSONVILLE—Opening a new business during a global pandemic might at first seem like a risky move. But for Christian Diaz, it was also an opportunity. With most fitness centers throughout the state remaining closed to stop the spread of Covid-19, people have been looking for...

Woman arrested for second knife attack

WATSONVILLE—A Watsonville woman who was out on bail for allegedly stabbing a woman in August was arrested again on Sunday after allegedly slashing a man’s face with a knife, Watsonville Police spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said. Dalilah Yasin, 41, was charged with assault with a deadly...
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PVUSD Board to consider Deputy Superintendent position

Pajaro Valley Unified School District trustees on Wednesday will consider creating a new deputy superintendent position and approving a three-year contract for the role. The...

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