Local News

Bright green bike lanes continue to be painted on streets around Watsonville as an effort to further ensure safety for bicyclists in and around motor traffic. • Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation today declaring July 2020 “California for All Small Business Month,” as the Governor’s...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Every year, volunteer groups across Monterey Bay participate in a beach cleanup the day after the Fourth of July. The holiday is known to bring large crowds to local beaches for celebrations. Many set off fireworks, leaving large amounts of waste that is...

Masks and social distancing: these are the chief issues of the day, according to scores of medical experts, as to how we get out of the huge coronavirus mess we’re in. And in some places people observe the safety guidelines of masking up around...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County health officials identified 37 new Covid-19 cases—the county’s largest single-day jump since the virus started its spread—on Monday, increasing the number of new cases over the last eight days to 142. There are 216 active cases in the county, and...

The protests that initially broke out after the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police on May 25 continue, with Black Lives Matter activists across the world calling for racial equality and police reform. The movement inspired Marcus Baskerville, owner of Weathered Souls Brewing Company...

The half-trillion-dollar loan program advertised as a lifesaver for the country’s struggling small businesses is again under fire after the Small Business Administration on Monday released a list containing hundreds of recipients of the program, revealing that several private equity-backed chains owned by members...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Chief of Police David Honda will give a presentation on "community oversight and engagement" to the City Council at today's virtual meeting. The meeting begins at 2pm. To participate visit https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/794248253 or call 1 (786) 535-3211 and enter access code 794-248-253. The Watsonville Police...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Watsonville firefighters had a “very busy Fourth of July” as they responded to a total of 24 calls in the 24-hour period surrounding the holiday, including medical calls and fires to vegetation, dumpsters and structures. Units were also out patrolling for illegal...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Police on Friday arrested a man for allegedly sexually abusing a young girl. Francisco Guzman-Marin, 66, was charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14. He was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail, jail records...

MONTEREY COUNTY—Businesses across the Pajaro River Bridge were dealt another tough blow this week, as Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday called for Monterey County restaurants, wineries, movie theaters, zoos, museums and card rooms to close their indoor operations.  Newsom also said the county’s bars must...