Local News

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville police on Thursday arrested a man for allegedly burglarizing a business that is making hand sanitizer for the ongoing coronavirus epidemic. Dustin Dean Davis, 47, was charged with burglary, looting during a state of emergency and violating the county’s shelter-in-place order. He also faces...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The shelter-in-place order imposed on March 31 by Santa Cruz County Health Officer Gail Newel allows activities such as walking, hiking, bicycling and running. Anyone participating in those activities must comply with social distancing requirements, and large gatherings are prohibited. Health officials say...

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...

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...

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—Former Watsonville Fire Assistant Chief Gene Friend, a household name for many in the Pajaro Valley, died March 25 at Valley Convalescent in Watsonville.  Watsonville Fire Station 1 is emblazoned with his name in large letters as the namesake of the Chief Gene Friend Watsonville...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Police Sgt. Donny Thul was on patrol recently when he got a harsh reminder of life under coronavirus restrictions. A call came over his radio that a group of young people was gathered at a park playing soccer. Just a few weeks ago, such a...

Tarmo Hannula Wet weather will return to the Central Coast as early as Friday night. Scattered showers are expected to pass through Saturday and then heavy rain with the chance of thunderstorms are expected Sunday. Showers could linger through Tuesday. • A task force has leased 26...

PASATIEMPO—A man and a woman have been arrested in a suspected homicide that took place Tuesday on the 800 block of Graham Hill Road. Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Ashley Kheen said detectives arrested Caitlin Crenshaw and Cody Huynh, both 23-year-old transients, in San...