Local News

WATSONVILLE—A new book has hit the shelves, “Fruit of the Devil,” by retired Pajaro Valley Unified School District teacher Mary Flodin.  The novel unfolds between the exclusive golf courses of Pebble Beach to the world-famous surf breaks of Santa Cruz and the fertile lands of...

APTOS—A collection of 207 art pieces will be on display at the Cabrillo Gallery in Aptos on Monday as part of the college’s annual “12x12: An Open Invitational” fundraising exhibit. The art ranges from traditional oil and acrylic paintings to pieces created with found objects,...

WATSONVILLE—The average trick or treater consumes roughly 3 cups of sugar on Halloween, according to data collected by CouponFollow in 2013. That’s the equivalent of 220 sugar packets, and 16 times the daily recommendation of 25 grams suggested by the American Heart Association. Dientes Community...

Special events Dia de los Muertos (Nov. 2) Celebrate the dead with an all-ages festival throughout Downtown Santa Cruz, created by the Santa Cruz Museum of Art History in partnership with Senderos. Experience vibrant dance performances. Get your face painted. Indulge in delicious food. Join in on...

WATSONVILLE—Every year during the month of October, the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office sends daily statistics to local media, counting the domestic violence calls to which county law enforcement officials respond. It is a grim tally and a reminder during Domestic Violence Awareness Month...

WATSONVILLE—Do you ever wonder who or what is controlling the traffic signals when you’re languishing at a seemingly endless red arrow, or the green light that suddenly switches in your favor without having to get near your brake pedal? It’s all run by those metal...

WATSONVILLE—Laura Segura has dedicated her career to combating domestic violence, and empowering victims to find within themselves the strength to end abusive relationships. Now, the executive director of Monarch Services is back from a 54-week hiatus, having tapped her own inner well of strength to...

WATSONVILLE—Longtime Watsonville resident Masako Miura celebrated her 105th birthday in June in Valley Heights Senior Community where she now resides. “I didn’t realize I was that old,” she quipped. Her advice for younger people hoping to have a similarly long life is, “don’t be an old...

WATSONVILLE — Bay Federal Credit Union’s Senior Leadership Team was greeted by a pack of ancient predators today as they made their way inside the bank’s branch on Freedom Boulevard. As part of the credit union’s annual Halloween decorating contest, employees had decked their workplace...

WATSONVILLE—Hector Quiroz is making up for lost time—and holidays. The 51-year-old Watsonville resident said he lived in a group home from sixth grade through high school. That meant Halloween and Christmas—the two holidays many kids look forward to the most—were muted experiences. “My belief is that...