Local News

WATSONVILLE—“Hello?” “Yes, are you there?” “Can you hear us?” “Please, unmute your mic.” Those tech-trouble-induced phrases dominated Watsonville City Council’s Friday morning emergency meeting concerning a proposed eviction moratorium for tenants affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The pleas of roughly a half-dozen property managers and landlords that scrambled to...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a plan to join a state-run rent relief program, which makes more than $16 million in federal funds available to local renters unable to pay their rent and utilities due to...

WATSONVILLE—Beginning Monday, Pajaro Valley Unified School District will drop its requirement that students wear a mask while indoors.  The PVUSD Board of Trustees approved a resolution Wednesday to “strongly recommend” that everyone still mask up inside while school is in session. The resolution further states...

A weekly column that celebrates local businesses — especially eateries, watering holes, coffee shops and the like.

WATSONVILLE—In a vote that was largely ceremonial, the Watsonville City Council unanimously approved giving $130,000 to the newly-formed Pajaro Valley Healthcare District to help the nonprofit purchase Watsonville Community Hospital’s operations. The contribution from the cash-strapped municipality pales in comparison with those of other jurisdictions...

If the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approves a proposal next month by AT&T to end landline service statewide, people living in rural areas where there are no other viable options will be able to keep their landlines. That was the message Tuesday to the...

APTOS—A month before summer classes begin on June 15, Cabrillo College is seeing a significant increase in enrollment for that semester, even as college officials gird themselves for a recession and for budget cuts caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, Cabrillo announced Friday that...

On the morning of June 28, 1969, a group of police officers raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village, New York City. As police dragged patrons and staff out of the bar, residents responded—leading to a week of protests and violent...

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Public Library (WPL) opened a new chapter last week by canceling its overdue fine system and forgiving all pending overdue fines.  At a meeting on Aug. 18, the Library Board of Trustees unanimously voted to make the change after library director Alicia Martinez...

In an expansive meadow on the outskirts of Watsonville Monday, a group of police officers from several agencies gathered with their K-9 partners to take a brief ride on a helicopter.