Local News

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—PG&E announced Monday that workers have begun to restore electricity to the 45,000 homes and businesses in Santa Cruz County affected by the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). County spokesman Jason Hoppin said that it could take as long as 48 hours for...

FELTON—The woman killed early Sunday morning in the Pogonip area of Santa Cruz when a tree toppled by high winds crushed her has been identified as Deseire Quintero of Santa Cruz.  High winds shoved the tree onto Quintero, 55, and a man, who suffered minor...

Twelve wildland fires are raging across California, some spurring mass evacuations and destroying multiple homes. In Sonoma County, 21,900 acres have burned in the Kincade Fire as of Friday. That blaze in popular wine country more than doubled in size in a 24-hour block. Thus...

A weekly column that celebrates local businesses — especially eateries, watering holes, coffee shops and the like. TONY NUÑEZ Food La Fondita: enchiladas Having our offices in downtown Watsonville has been a delight for me come lunchtime. So many great restaurants. So little time—and money. I’ve started to...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The annual Mi Casa es Tu Casa exhibit opened Wednesday at Pajaro Valley Arts on Sudden Street.  The show is inspired by Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a traditional holiday in Mexico that celebrates ancestors and others who have died....

SANTA CRUZ—Far West Fungi mushroom farm of Moss Landing is branching out. They recently opened their first-ever store in downtown Santa Cruz.  In the works for the past two years, the new spot will feature about 16 varieties of fresh mushrooms, dozens of dried mushrooms,...

WATSONVILLE—Parishioners celebrated the 150th anniversary of St Patrick’s Catholic Parish on Oct. 11 in a ceremony that drew members from across the Pajaro Valley to celebrate an institution whose community roots go back hundreds of years. The first recorded Catholic religious ceremony in the Pajaro...

WATSONVILLE—A 2017 report from SAGE, the country’s largest advocate for LGBT elders, found that roughly one-third of LGBT older adults live at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Worse, that report also found that many members of that community deal with...

Special events Hempcon Halloweed (Oct. 26-27) A fully legal and licensed marijuana show at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds with live entertainment and many exhibits, including medical marijuana dispensaries, collectives, caregivers, evaluation services, legal services, educational institutions, equipment, accessories and more. For tickets or information visit hempcon.com/halloweed-2019. La Sonora...

SAN FRANCISCO—The Orpheum Theater in San Francisco was abuzz with excitement Wednesday afternoon as 1,500 eighth-graders from North Monterey County settled in to experience “Hamilton: An American Musical.” Among them was the eighth-grade class from Pajaro Middle School. “I’m really excited,” said Darlene Valenzuela, who made...