Local News

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a plan that will allow people to smoke pot at local cannabis dispensaries the way they drink at bars. The new ordinance will allow onsite consumption of marijuana products at dispensaries in the unincorporated parts...

WATSONVILLE—A man was injured Friday when the roof of a two-story house partially collapsed, trapping him under the rubble until rescue workers arrived. The man was flown by air ambulance to an out of county trauma center. The collapse occurred at an aging, dilapidated house on...

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors unanimously appointed Justin Cummmings as this year’s board chair, and Felipe Hernandez as vice chair. While the chair role is largely ceremonial, the supervisor in that position leads the meetings and often serves as the spokesperson for the...

SANTA CRUZ—For two decades, Santa Cruz County has held a ceremony to remember the homeless people who died during the year. The annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day has long been a somber occasion, often marked by stories of the deceased people. Too often, it is...

We spoke with Melissa West, printmaker and visual artist, about Watsonville’s arts ecosystem, what inspires her to create, and where you can see her work in the coming weeks. What do you love about Watsonville’s arts community and being an artist living and working here? A...

WATSONVILLE—The City of Watsonville on Friday announced it will close all nonessential services starting Monday because of concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, a move that will shut the Watsonville and Freedom branch libraries as well as several City offices. City Manager Matt Huffaker...

A 23-year-old man killed early Saturday morning in a head-on crash in Aptos has been identified as Luke Salem, a Harbor High School graduate who played football for Cabrillo College. The California Highway Patrol said a 49-year-old man was driving a red 2017 Honda CRV...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—A man who police say stabbed his girlfriend to death at an apartment on Clifford Avenue in July was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail Thursday after being extradited from Arizona. Alberto Scalant, 33, is being held without bail. He has been charged...

Library accepting nominations for Youth Poet Laureate The Watsonville Public Library is accepting nominations for the new Watsonville Youth Poet Laureate.  The program’s primary goal is to recognize those under the age of 20 for their literary achievements with a commitment to and a passion for...