Local News

Caltrans is scheduled to close both directions of Highway 1 for a 24-hour block on March 23/24 to make way for the demolition of the 1948 Capitola Ave. overcrossing.  Kevin Drabinski, spokesperson for Caltrans, said the work is the second phase of the three-phase project...

Watsonville City Manager Rene Mendez has been named as the new City Manager for the City of Salinas, just two years after starting his position. The Salinas City Council on March 19 approved his contract. He will begin on May 28 and receive a base salary...

PG&E creates power shutoff alert system Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has developed a new tool that allows anyone to receive notifications about Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events, even if they are not PG&E customers or account holders.  Although PG&E customers already will receive...

WATSONVILLE—Cecilia Gonzalez spent a day hollowing out a piece of plastic foam, creating a perfect spot in which to cradle an egg. She wrapped this in cardboard and topped her invention with several balloons. The test came on Wednesday, when it was dropped off the...

WATSONVILLE—A Watsonville teen was shot and another is in custody following a domestic dispute late Wednesday night. Watsonville Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said the two males, who are brothers, erupted in an argument around 10:20pm at a home on Evelyn Avenue near Clifford Drive...

Watsonville Police on Wednesday arrested a woman for an alleged 40-minute crime and vandalism spree that included breaking religious statues in two stores, toppling a 15-foot crucifix in a church and stealing roses and a soda.

The Watsonville High School (WHS) Drama Department had been preparing for a production of the musical “Matilda” in March 2020 when everything was shut down by the pandemic.  For three semesters, students were unable to return to the stage for performances, instead taking acting, tech...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a plan to integrate the Planning and Public Works departments, a move officials say will streamline services and improve customer service. Officials will immediately begin creating the new department, called Community Development...

WATSONVILLE—Efforts by a local nonprofit to purchase and run Watsonville Community Hospital have gained momentum, with several jurisdictions and organizations pledging money. Now, Driscoll’s berry company has stepped forward, offering $1.75 million to match all donations through May 1 to the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District...

A new exhibit will soon open at Studio Judy G in downtown Watsonville, featuring artwork by gallery owner Judy Gittelsohn, her mother, and two of her friends from the late 1970s punk rock scene in San Francisco. “Three Punk Painters and My Mom” is, in...