Local News

Walk, run, skip, or roll at the 38th Annual Human Race Walkathon and Fun Run on Saturday May 12th. Enjoy music along the 5-mile course, a people's parade, costumes, yummy bites throughout the day, and family-friendly activities at the post-race party as the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County rolls out the red carpet for all fundraising superstars. The Human Race is our community's largest giving campaign. This year, more than 125 Human Race teams are reaching out for your support. You can lend your hand by simply giving a donation to your favorite cause, becoming a fundraiser, or making a donation and participating on Race Day. Your donation serves as your entry into the race.

It has been nearly five decades since Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls began selling their iconic pastries at the Santa Cruz County Fair. The stand has become a cornerstone of the fair’s multifarious food offerings, and on busy days the dozen or so employees can sell...

By Emanuel Lee, Hollister Free Lance Sports Editor Calling it the “document we’ve been waiting for,” Central Coast Section Commissioner Dave Grissom said the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) recent release in regards to youth sports gives him and the other 10 section commissioners...

WATSONVILLE—UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cynthia K. Larive made her first visit to Watsonville High School Monday as part of an annual Achieve UC outreach effort. In the Mello Center, she addressed hundreds of students to deliver the message that an education at a University...

WATSONVILLE—Sisters-in-law Araceli Gonzalez and Laura Espindola first had the idea to open their own business more than two years ago.  Both mothers with a passion for shopping, they wanted to open a shop full of products for young children and new (and expecting) mothers.  “We had...

SANTA CRUZ—The man who gunned down a rival gang member and killed a 4-year-old girl in the crossfire nearly six years ago was sentenced Thursday to two consecutive terms of life without parole in state prison. Michael Escobar, 36, also received more than 12 years...

The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday ended its policy of bringing drug-sniffing dogs into classrooms, a decision sparked when several people spoke against the practice during the twice-monthly meeting.

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville artist Augie WK for two years has dreamt of bringing a humpback whale to life at the Marinovich Community Center. It was 2019 when the upstart muralist was approached by Watsonville Environmental Science Workshop coordinator Darren Gertler and asked if he’d be interested in...

A little more than seven decades ago, as the nation recovered from World War II and Main Street America flourished, Taylor’s Office City opened its doors in Watsonville and henceforth became the city’s preferred destination for all manner of office supplies. On June 30, the...

WATSONVILLE—Edwin Rodriguez and Adrian Maldonado were hanging out with friends in their neighborhood on Arista Court one Wednesday afternoon when they saw a large column of smoke rising into the air nearby. The boys assumed at first it was a campfire, which wouldn’t be unusual....