Local News

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville officials on Tuesday questioned the validity of an anonymous letter sent to various local media outlets and past and present city officials that accused City Manager Matt Huffaker of trying to bury an investigation into Fire Chief Rudy Lopez Sr. Promoted to the department’s...

WATSONVILLE—The Crosetti Building at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds was almost unrecognizable Saturday evening, decked out for the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture’s 58th annual Gala and Dinner. Going for a “Roaring ‘20s” theme, the inside of the building was decorated in black,...

Tarmo Hannula: Chilly weather has gripped much of California as a cold front wandered into the region Sunday. I was in San Francisco Sunday morning and it was plain to see, and feel, as a huge gray blade of clouds slowly sliced across the...

WATSONVILLE—Scores of volunteers flowed into the area of upper Struve Slough early Saturday morning to participate in World Wetlands Day. The international celebration, now in its 12th year, aims to raise awareness of the importance of wetlands and commemorates the signing of the Convention on...

LIVE OAK — Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies on Sunday arrested a man who reportedly fired several shots into the air in the area of Winkle Drive and Soquel Avenue. Anthony Martinez-Franco, 18, was charged with willful discharge of a firearm, possession of a firearm...

The importance of voting in America, and what gets in the public’s way from doing so, is the central topic of a newly installed exhibit at the Santa Cruz County Building, “Vote! Your Vote is Your Voice/¡Vote! Su Voto es Su Voz."  Put on by...

Tarmo Hannula It’s the last day of January 2020. • I noticed a paint crew has started a major paint job on the historic home on the corner of East Beach and Lincoln streets. That’s the towering white place with tall majestic columns, almost identical to the...

SANTA CLARA COUNTY— The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department received confirmation Friday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that an adult male resident of the county tested positive for the coronavirus, which started in Wuhan, China.   “Earlier today the CDC...

WATSONVILLE—Preparations have been underway in Watsonville to set the stage for the 12th annual World Wetlands Day celebration Saturday. Jonathan Pilch, Executive Director of Watsonville Wetlands Watch, said the work this past week included wetland restoration plantings along the Upper Struve Slough trail in Watsonville...

WATSONVILLE — A routine car stop led to an important break and a recovery of a loaded gun for Watsonville Police Friday. Sgt. Juan Trujillo of the Watsonville Police Investigations Unit said officer Aaron Chavarria pulled over a maroon Mercedes Benz E320 just after 10...