PVUSD schools transition to distance learning
WATSONVILLE—Days after the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees voted to close all district schools for two weeks, allowing most employees and students to work from home, Gov. Gavin Newsom had a troubling message for educators, parents and students: expect more.
“I would...
Santa Cruz shifting homeless as way to slow virus’ spread
SANTA CRUZ—Several uniformed Santa Cruz police officers were on Water Street Friday morning, along with a group of city workers, tasked with dismantling and moving a homeless encampment that has grown along the north wall of the downtown post office, and in other places...
Watsonville man dies from suspected DUI crash
WATSONVILLE—A 51-year-old Watsonville man died from injuries he suffered in a March 16 crash at Trabing Road and Highway 1.
The man, who has not been named, was a passenger in a 1998 Ford F-150 pickup that was being driven by Maia Cahill, 46, said...
Several small business insurance policies won’t cover COVID-19 losses
Many of California’s roughly 3.8 million small business owners have scrambled to find some financial relief after Gov. Gavin Newsom on March 19 ordered all non-essential businesses to close to slow the spread of COVID-19.
That meant bars, breweries and nightclubs were forced to shutter...
Man in early 70s the first COVID-19 victim in Santa Cruz County
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—A Santa Cruz County man who tested positive for COVID-19 died Saturday, marking Santa Cruz County’s first death from the coronavirus, the county’s Health Services Agency announced Sunday.
The victim was in his early 70s and had an underlying health condition. He was...
Storm watch | Photo gallery
Do you have a recent photo you’d like to share? Send it to us for consideration by emailing it to [email protected] or mailing it to 21 Brennan St., Suite 14, Watsonville, CA 95076. Please include a brief description of the photo as well as...
Local breweries donate expired beer for sanitizer production
WATSONVILLE—Fruition Brewing owner David Purgason was making deliveries on Calabasas Road when he suddenly had an idea.
As he drove by Whiskey Hill Farms, he remembered it was the site of Blume Distillation, a biofuel technology company that converts waste into alcohol-based fuel and other...
Watsonville police arrest suspected serial burglar
WATSONVILLE—A man suspected of at least three burglaries in the Watsonville area was arrested Tuesday after allegedly breaking into a truck and stealing tools.
Benjamin Sanchez, 48, faces three counts of felony burglary. He was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $10,000...
Local farms respond to changes during COVID-19 crisis
WATSONVILLE—As shoppers flock to grocery stores, stocking up on fresh, frozen and canned foods, California farms are working to keep up with the demand.
In Watsonville, large and small farms alike are sending unprecedented amounts of products to local and national stores, as well as...
City faces financial uncertainty as COVID-19 wrecks economy
WATSONVILLE—The City of Watsonville has asked all departments to trim their budgets by 10 percent to prepare for the economic slump over the next three years as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Finance Department Director Cindy Czerwin at Tuesday’s City Council meeting predicted Watsonville...
A “place of healing”—Tiny home village unveiled
With a small handful of finishing touches still left to complete on a tiny home village in Westview Presbyterian Church’s parking lot in Watsonville,...
