Woman rams ranger with car, flees from deputies with child aboard
A San Jose woman was arrested Thursday after ramming a California State Parks ranger’s vehicle with her car and then leading police on a short pursuit.
Advocates call for more transparency on pesticide use
CENTRAL COAST—When Melissa Dennis began teaching third grade at Ohlone Elementary School, she noticed that an unusual number of her students at the school in the rural Royal Oaks community just south of Watsonville had health issues.
She says she finds it alarming how many...
Fighting our culture of contempt
One day my wife Laurie is on NextDoor, the social media site, and sees someone post, “Hey, just saw a coyote in my backyard, make sure your cat is safe indoors.”
Almost instantly that seemingly innocuous text ignites into a full-fledged neighbor war, complete with...
Local law enforcement professional publishes first novel
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—When Ed Delfin moved from the Philippines to the U.S. as a teenager, he was faced with more than just the usual challenges of a new immigrant. Settling in Watsonville, Delfin noticed immediately the underlying issues with gang violence and its effect...
Fire academy to bring two aboard at WFD
WATSONVILLE—Nine trainees with hopes of becoming new firefighters or paramedics in Santa Cruz County are three months into the 16-week fire academy.
Six of them are aiming to join the Santa Cruz Fire Department, one plans to go to Central Fire District and two hope...
METRO hosts Stuff the Bus donation site
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) and Toys For Tots will host METRO’s first Stuff the Bus donation site on Dec. 11 at Target in Watsonville.
METRO and Toys For Tots are teaming up to collect donations of new and unwrapped toys...
Chef to host benefit dinner for PV Loaves & Fishes
Chef Jesse Plasencia, executive chef of The Pacheco Club in Monterey, and past board member of Pajaro Valley Loaves & Fishes, will host a pop-up dinner to benefit the nonprofit food pantry and kitchen at El Alteño Restaurant, 323 Main St. in Watsonville,
Violinist and pianist to perform Jan. 21 in Santa Cruz
On Jan. 21, two internationally acclaimed musicians will perform in Santa Cruz, offering a night of classical music on piano and violin.
13th annual Fire Velo ride rolls through Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—A dozen bicyclists on the 13th annual Fire Velo bike ride rolled into Watsonville Monday afternoon for the first night of their week-long journey to Los Angeles.
“We headed out of San Francisco yesterday,” said Julian Villavicengio, an EMT/firefighter with San Francisco Fire Department. “The...
Photo story: Minor injuries in rollover crash
A Watsonville man suffered minor injuries Monday when he lost control of his Toyota Tundra pickup and rolled upside down on a hillside on...
