Local News

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Planning Commission on Tuesday unanimously voted against granting a special use permit for a proposed business park at Main Street and Auto Center Drive. Boos Development Group, Inc. was seeking the permit so that it could construct two drive-throughs alongside roughly 20,000 square...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville police are again warning the public to be careful with their credit and debit cards after an investigator found two card skimmers at a gas pump. Credit card skimmers are often installed on gas pumps by criminals to steal account information. They can be...

WATSONVILLE—Every year, Santa Cruz Toys for Tots – and the numerous volunteers that support it – make sure children across the county have a surprise on Christmas. Last year, the organization provided more than 11,000 toys, games, bikes and other gifts. On Tuesday, when a rainstorm...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Fire Department got its newest addition Monday, a 60-foot ladder truck that will replace an older model, and serve as the department’s “first-out” truck. The $1.3 million purchase came thanks to Measure G, the half-cent sales tax measure approved by voters in 2014 to...

WATSONVILLE—It was 37 years ago that Larry Chin became a reserve firefighter with Watsonville Fire Department, inspired by television shows such as “Emergency!” and the glamor of the profession. He joined the department eight years later. On Wednesday morning, he signed off from his final...

WATSONVILLE—Cool, rainy weather did not deter Watsonville residents from stopping by East Lake Shopping Center on Saturday to celebrate Small Business Saturday. As part of the nationwide movement known as Shop Small, created in 2010 by credit card giant American Express, Small Business Saturday aims...

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Panning Commission at its Tuesday meeting will look over plans for one large Main Street project and see a presentation on another. The commission will make a decision on the proposed construction of three one-story commercial buildings and two drive-throughs at 975-1075 Main...

CAPITOLA—Too many housing units. Not in line with Capitola’s “unique” feel and community. A fiscal “wash.”  These critiques and concerns—and several others—came to light at the Capitola City Council’s Nov. 14 meeting concerning the planned redevelopment of the hollowed Capitola Mall. The council took no action...

WATSONVILLE—Over the summer, Pajaro Valley Unified School District completed 65 maintenance, construction and upgrade projects to the tune of $30 million. That was all thanks to Measure L, the $150 million bond approved by voters in 2012. That bond is nearing the end of its...

Todd Guild California State Parks The best investment we make every year is our annual Golden Poppy pass, which allows entry to more than 100 of California’s state parks. With numerous parks within a short drive in Santa Cruz County – featuring mountains, deserts and beaches, to...