Local News

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday sold the Resetar Parking Lot in downtown to the Ow family for $542,850. The 40-space lot at 535 Main St., also known as Parking Lot No. 4, is used daily by multiple businesses in downtown, including county-wide nonprofit Community...

WATSONVILLE—Every year during the month of October, the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office sends daily statistics to local media, counting the domestic violence calls to which county law enforcement officials respond. It is a grim tally and a reminder during Domestic Violence Awareness Month...

Special events Dia de los Muertos (Nov. 2) Celebrate the dead with an all-ages festival throughout Downtown Santa Cruz, created by the Santa Cruz Museum of Art History in partnership with Senderos. Experience vibrant dance performances. Get your face painted. Indulge in delicious food. Join in on...

WATSONVILLE—The average trick or treater consumes roughly 3 cups of sugar on Halloween, according to data collected by CouponFollow in 2013. That’s the equivalent of 220 sugar packets, and 16 times the daily recommendation of 25 grams suggested by the American Heart Association. Dientes Community...

WATSONVILLE—Since 2014 there have been eight unsolved gang-related homicides in Watsonville, according to Watsonville Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Pulido. Many of those victims’ mothers—and those of countless other gang-related homicide victims from the Pajaro Valley—are still holding out hope that one day that will change. Sunday’s...

SANTA CRUZ—Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies on Thursday arrested a Soquel man suspected of more than a dozen counts of sexual assault of a child. Luis Ortiz, 59, was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail. According to Sheriff’s spokeswoman Ashley...

WATSONVILLE—Paul De Worken left the Watsonville City Council Chambers sad and confused on Oct. 22. A few days later he was in a better mood, but his confusion did not fade. After the City Council approved a $200 fee for community initiated public art on...

Special events Goat Hill Fall Vintage Fair (Nov. 9-10) A much anticipated two-day event at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds for enthusiasts of vintage and antique collecting. Find looks, styles and unique pieces to complement your collections and decorate your homes. An indoor event. Food and drink...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Police on Thursday afternoon found the 12-year-old Watsonville girl that ran away from home Tuesday evening. WPD found Mary Guadalupe Curiel Lopez at Callaghan Park around 2 p.m. "She is safe and we're speaking to her now," WPD said through its Twitter account. She was reported...

SAN JOSE—A 29-year-old Aptos man was shot and killed Saturday by police on Highway 85 during a vehicle stop, San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia said Wednesday. San Jose Police say that the man, who has not been named, was the passenger during the stop...