Local News

SANTA CRUZ—Dignity Health Dominican Hospital announced Monday that it has received a $1 million donation, which will be dispersed to hospital employees who have helped fight the coronavirus. The anonymous donor is a “long-time friend” of the hospital who wanted to thank the workers specifically...

WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday agreed to renew the contract for Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez for another four years. Trustees Oscar Soto, Maria Orozco, Jennifer Schacher, Jennifer Holm and Kim De Serpa voted in favor of the approval. Trustees Georgia...

Residents in Santa Cruz County will face steep fines for using fireworks this Fourth of July, including at area beaches. “Illegal fireworks can be a threat to public safety, spark wildfires, and be harmful to the environment, vulnerable residents, and pets,” Santa Cruz County spokesman...

How much can you cram into a three-week trip to a foreign country?  A lot.  That’s the answer for a group of seven teens and a chaperone from Croatia on their three-week journey to Watsonville that wrapped up over the weekend.  The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Yosemite,...

Bright green bike lanes continue to be painted on streets around Watsonville as an effort to further ensure safety for bicyclists in and around motor traffic. • Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation today declaring July 2020 “California for All Small Business Month,” as the Governor’s...

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a plan to use a state grant totaling nearly $9.7 million to fund homeless services countywide over the next two years.

WATSONVILLE — Watsonville Police have arrested two men who allegedly burglarized a jewelry store, minutes after the same store was burglarized by a different suspect. Jorge Garcia, 29, was arrested less than 24 hours after stealing from Fatima’s Fine Jewelry on the 300 block of Main...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—A new campaign to showcase the environmental benefits of transit, encourage bus ridership and protect Santa Cruz County’s natural resources, kicked off recently in Santa Cruz.  “One Ride at a Time” launched a pair of METRO’s buses that are emblazoned with massive photograph...

Emergency officials help a female driver out of her Honda Accord Tuesday morning after she plowed over a speed limit sign and a tree.

Watsonville’s yearly event has raised roughly $1.4 million over its 17-year run, including last year’s $115,207 total.