Local News

WATSONVILLE—Dozens of City of Watsonville employees, Watsonville residents, community organizers, elected leaders and nonprofit chiefs cycled through the Community Room at the Civic Plaza to welcome new city manager Rene Mendez on Wednesday evening. Mendez, who took over as the city’s chief executive on July...

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WATSONVILLE—After their planned graduation on June 4 was canceled due to concerns of a violent protest, 11 graduates of New School Community Day School’s class of 2020 received their diplomas Monday in a drive-thru ceremony. In addition to the students, Pajaro Valley Unified School District...

PAJARO—Pajaro Middle School will remain closed for the rest of the school year after a flood on March 11 damaged half the classrooms, Pajaro Valley Unified School District Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez said Friday. A sizable pool of water still stands in a recessed floor in...

Twelve wildland fires are raging across California, some spurring mass evacuations and destroying multiple homes. In Sonoma County, 21,900 acres have burned in the Kincade Fire as of Friday. That blaze in popular wine country more than doubled in size in a 24-hour block. Thus...

WATSONVILLE—Mexican Independence Day is Sept. 16, and the Watsonville Film Festival (WFF) is teaming up with two Bay Area organizations to bring a celebratory event to the community. Celebrando La Cultura, to be held Sept. 15-18, will include film, music and dance. It begins with...

Cabrillo Stage’s diverse cast, crew and choir are bringing the musical “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” to life. The production, opening July 6, is based on the novel by Victor Hugo and contains songs from the 1996 Disney film. Set in the Paris cathedral, the...

Ohlone Elementary School celebrated Read Across America Day on Wednesday, an event that allowed each student to score a free book.

Santa Cruz County is moving to the looser restrictions of the Yellow Tier starting Wednesday, May 19, county health officials announced Tuesday.  Here are some of the key changes that will start Wednesday, according to the county’s press release: Bars may open indoors at 25% capacity, or...