Local News

SALINAS—Charles Lafferty, the suspect in the projectile case that injured five people and left dozens of vehicles with shattered windows since February, was back in court Monday where he pled not guilty to 79 charges. Shackled at the wrists and ankles and garbed in striped...

Twenty-four oil paintings by Scotts Valley artist Shirley Lehner-Rhodes are currently showing at the Santa Cruz County Building, 701 Ocean St.  A professional artist and art instructor, Lehner-Rhodes primarily works in watercolors and oils. Her ongoing series of paintings are figurative works in landscapes, local...

WATSONVILLE—A charter school that opened in Pajaro Valley Unified School District in 2019 – and which was tentatively slated to move into the former Gottschalk’s building on Main Street for the 2020-21 school year – will remain at E.A. Hall Middle School for at...

Special events 8th Annual Calamari Dinner (Feb. 15) The Sons and Daughters of Italy will host the 8th Annual Calamari Dinner at the Watsonville Woman’s Club. Proceeds will go toward Andrew Malatesta Agricultural Scholarship. The menu includes deep-fried calamari fillets and pesto pasta with salad. There...

WATSONVILLE—A blood drive will be held Friday at the Pajaro Valley Health Trust in honor of a 35-year veteran of the Watsonville Fire Department, Captain Danny Lucas.  On Nov. 20 Lucas was seriously injured in a hunting accident in Montana when a large caliber bullet...

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Planning Commission on Tuesday will make a decision on a proposed 75-foot cell tower on the 1400 block of Freedom Boulevard. New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC (AT&T Wireless) under the proposal would rent space at Extra Space Storage, 1478 Freedom Blvd., to construct...

"Try This" is a weekly column that celebrates local businesses — especially eateries, watering holes, coffee shops and the like. • FOOD: Slice Project's White Bugatti It seems like each time I’ve visited the Slice Project, 300 Main St., their pizza has improved. I’ve been a big...

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday decided to push its decision on proposed changes to the City’s cannabis laws to its March 24 meeting. The move, approved by a 6-1 vote with Mayor Rebecca Garcia dissenting, came after City Attorney Alan Smith told the Council...

Mountain biking has become one of Santa Cruz County’s most popular sports, and this year the Museum of Art and History (MAH) is paying tribute to its legacy—and looking to its future.  “Trailblazers: The Creative Story Behind Mountain Biking in Santa Cruz County” opened Feb....