Local News

WATSONVILLE—The City of Watsonville is investing $4,000 into public art projects in the coming year. The Public Art Grant Program, established earlier this month, will distribute four $1,000 grants to different projects by Watsonville artists that aim to improve and enrich the city. Projects can...

WATSONVILLE—Sherry Dang knows how tough it can be to go to bed hungry. Dang, co-owner of a handful of 7-Eleven stores around the Central Coast with Kirk di Cicco, said she spent time without a home and went days without food while growing up in...

WATSONVILLE—In five years brothers Brando and Kristian Sencion predict their new, hip restaurant, Slice Project, will be one of several of-this-generation eateries that will be scattered throughout Watsonville’s downtown. “It’s only a matter of time and we welcome that,” Brando said. “The more good food...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville native Alex Reynoso has not forgotten his hometown. Nor has the Watsonville High School alumnus (class of 1991) backed away from using his talents to change the face of Watsonville. A ribbon cutting is in the works for the start of the new year...

Popular mid-county Mediterranean restaurant expands to Watsonville WATSONVILLE—Earlier this month, Zameen at the Hangar celebrated its official soft opening—quietly, and with little fanfare. This was a deliberate move, said restaurant owner Ed Watson. “We wanted to get people in gradually,” Watson said. “To make sure we knew...

Tarmo Hannula: I learned in the newspapers the other day that Germans are credited with starting the tradition of Christmas trees in the 1500s. • At midnight Tuesday, as Christmas Eve slipped into Christmas Day, I heard an interesting bit on my police radio from a...

Tarmo Hannula: Christmas Eve 2019. The year is winding down. Last minute shopping, for some, is now moving at the speed of light. Traffic is more hectic. • A series of 14 original paintings by Capitola artist Ed Penniman are now showing at Ella’s at the Airport...

Tarmo Hannula: Major progress is visible at the giant construction project of the new Hampton Inn & Suites on Lee Road. A new Starbucks Coffee drive-in and service station, among other shops, are in the works. • The winter solstice was Saturday, marking the first day...

I walked through the Capitola Mall on 41st Avenue last night and was surprised to see how empty it was. In Beck’s Shoes, a place that’s been there for years and offers a wide range of quality shoes, had one or two customers. The...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville’s newest charter school now has a permanent home, and a long-vacant building on the Main Street corridor will soon have a new tenant. Watsonville Prep School, which opened in August with 180 kindergarteners, first- and second-grade students, plans to occupy the second floor of...