Local News

APTOS—Cabrillo College is planning to host a series of 90-minute community discussions in September and October as college officials weigh changing the school’s name. The first three sessions are scheduled for Sept. 21, 23 and 30. All three will be conducted via Zoom. Cabrillo wrapped up...

WATSONVILLE—Author Tony Di Leonardo was visiting the Watsonville Square shopping center when he first noticed Kelly’s Books. Walking into the small independent bookstore, he started chatting with owner Kelly Pleskunas about his debut novel, “Death by Drive-By,” which had just been released in December...

A group of state lawmakers and local medical providers gathered Tuesday at the Santa Cruz Community Health Center in Live Oak to sound the alarm on President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA). Despite its name, the bill will remove millions of people...

Officials in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties will conduct a test of the Wireless Emergency Alert system on Thursday, sending emergency messages to mobile phones in flood inundation zones near the Pajaro River. The test is scheduled for about 3pm and is part of ongoing...

WATSONVILLE—Since 1983, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services (PVSS) has aimed to address the needs of women and children affected by homelessness in the greater Watsonville area. Founded by Sister Susan Olson and Sister Marie Veronica through Catholic Charities, the organization eventually broke off and became...

WATSONVILLE—Gov. Gavin Newsom announced increased funding for the Farm to Family Program on April 29. The program directly connects farmers and ranchers to food banks to feed Californians around the state. The state intends to seed a $15 million campaign with $3.64 million to...

A 5-year-old boy was seriously injured Tuesday morning.

A man whose E-bike was stolen recently tracked it down to a Watsonvlle residence using a GPS device he had planted. He called police to help him get the bike back, and when they entered they found a total of 25 stolen bikes. Watsonville Police spokeswoman...

The City of Watsonville was recently presented the 2025 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence from the League of California Cities for its transformative Watsonville Brillante: Economic Development through the Arts project.   The statewide award celebrates programs that exemplify innovation, collaboration, and outstanding service to residents.  Watsonville...

The Aptos Branch of the Santa Cruz County Public Library is on deck for demolition and rebuild as it has outgrown its current facilities. The County has completed a feasibility study, chosen a design-build team, and started the design process. That design concept was...