Local News

WATSONVILLE—One month after Pajaro Valley High School (PVHS) unveiled its long awaited sports complex, another massive project years in the making took a giant leap forward. The California Transportation Commission on Wednesday approved an $11.7 million grant to help the city of Watsonville build a...

WATSONVILLE—Following the tremendous success of the first-ever Holiday Lights Drive-thru at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds during Christmas, the 2021 Drive-Thru Crab Feed proved to be another booming hit Saturday. Fairgrounds Foundation spokesman Ron Haedicke said they sold out all 472 meals in the inaugural...

Watsonville Police Department formally welcomed five new officers at a promotional badge pinning and awards ceremony Wednesday. Close to 150 people packed the City Council Chambers for the two-hour event that drew top brass from Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey counties, the Santa Cruz...

Over 100 people gathered on Holohan Road Friday to celebrate the completion of the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency’s (PVWMA) new College Lake Water Supply Project. The landmark project, designed to protect the Pajaro Valley’s groundwater resources, includes a water intake and fish passage facility,...

Driscoll’s announced Tuesday that Brie Reiter Smith has been named chief executive officer of the Watsonville-based berry company, succeeding Soren Bjorn. The company made the announcement in a press release, but stated there would be no further information released on the decision. Smith, who has served...

LIVE OAK—Santa Cruz County’s first-ever inclusive playground officially opened Jan. 18 at Chanticleer Park in Live Oak.  LEO’s Haven, a playground designed to welcome children with disabilities such as blindness, mobility impairment and autism, is the centerpiece of the $4 million rebuild of the 4.5-acre...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel on Friday recommended that everyone cover their mouth and nose with cloth when leaving their homes to protect themselves from coronavirus. The guidance, which comes from the California Department of Public Health, is in addition...

For decades, voters on election day went to their respective polling places—roughly 160 in Santa Cruz County—where they would be handed a ballot for the candidates and races specific to their districts. It was a time-honored tradition, and—for one day—a community gathering spot, with many...

The two men who were shot and killed Oct. 4 on the 700 block of Carlton Road on the outskirts of Watsonville have been identified as Jeremiah Rios Aguilera and Giovanni Aburto Lopez, both 21 and both of Watsonville. Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s detectives believe...