Local News

Numerous businesses continue to keep their windows covered with large sheets of plywood in downtown Watsonville and at the Overlook Shopping Center on Main Street. The move was triggered Wednesday night by someone who posted a notice promising “barbaric protests" Thursday as part of the...

SACRAMENTO—The California Department of Education (CDE) on Monday released a set of guidelines for schools statewide to use as they seek to reopen in the fall, nearly three months after they closed to slow the spread of Covid-19. While the state agency leaves actual policymaking...

APTOS—The man who allegedly shot to death a Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy before engaging in a short but violent crime spree on June 6 was stopped by a resident who tackled him and held him down until law enforcement officials arrived, Sheriff Jim...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The County of Santa Cruz announced that five local food businesses have been chosen to deliver fresh, nutritious meals to hundreds of local seniors during the Covid-19 pandemic. Great Plates Delivered serves food to vulnerable older adults through a federal economic stimulus for...

WATSONVILLE—At least 300 people participated in a peaceful protest calling for the end of racial and systemic injustice on Saturday in Watsonville. The protest is part of a nationwide movement sparked by the death of George Floyd on May 25. The group first gathered at the...

By Jacob Pierce, Good Times News Editor SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—A countywide transportation commission voted on Thursday to move forward with in-depth analysis of four possible options for the future of Santa Cruz County’s rail trail corridor. The leading options before the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) include bus rapid transit,...

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council at its Tuesday night meeting will take its first look at the proposed restructured budget for the 2020/21 fiscal year, which includes seven layoffs and the elimination of all sports programs. The council is also expected to make major changes to...

WATSONVILLE—Givonni Garcia had a passion for history and laws as a young child. He also enjoyed arguing. “I loved arguing,” he said. That love has only grown over the years. His dreams have too. Garcia is one of St. Francis High School’s valedictorians for the graduating class...

FELTON—The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy killed Saturday afternoon when he was ambushed by a gunman has been identified as Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, 38. Gutzwiller was a father of a young child, and was expecting a new child soon, said Sheriff Jim Hart. The death has...

Update at 7:18pm: The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's deputy who was shot while trying to arrest a man suspected in Saturday afternoon's double-carjacking in Felton has died, a law enforcement source confirmed. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed...