City’s water system needs more than $100M in upgrades, repairs
WATSONVILLE—The City of Watsonville is staring at more than $100 million of much-needed improvements and additions to its water system over the next 10 years.
That’s according to the Water System Master Plan, a first-of-its-kind project the Watsonville City Council approved in April 2019 and...
Local markets help fill the Thanksgiving list
The staff at Freedom Meat Lockers and Corralitos Market and Sausage Company are in high production mode as they prepare for Thanksgiving.
Dave Peterson, president of Corralitos Market at 569 Corralitos Road, said he has 450 smoked turkeys on deck, on top of their in-house...
Adult school celebrates its graduates
A nearly packed Mello Center saw the first graduation of the season in Pajaro Valley Unified School District Thursday evening with 173 graduates of Watsonville/Aptos/Santa Cruz Adult Education crossing the stage to collect their diplomas, degrees and certificates.
In fields including high school diplomas, GEDs,...
Watsonville’s small businesses adjust to county’s shelter-in-place order
WATSONVILLE—Small business owners throughout the Pajaro Valley are feeling increasing financial pressure after Santa Cruz County officials on Monday ordered all “non-essential businesses” to close their doors to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The shelter-in-place order, which went into effect Tuesday and will last until...
Doctors warn of death cap mushroom poisoning
Poisonous death cap mushrooms have sickened people in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, according to a statewide list of areas reporting severe illnesses.
A group of California doctors warned Wednesday that foraging for wild mushrooms can be deadly, after an unusually high number of people...
Farm store and cafe opens at historic Five Mile House
CORRALITOS—Late Monday morning the Five Mile House in Corralitos was bustling with activity for the first time in 12 years.
Blossom’s Farmstore & Coffee Shop now occupies the landmark Spanish-style building on the corner of Freedom Boulevard and Corralitos Road, which has housed various businesses...
Green Valley Road work presses ahead
Work continues on the Green Valley Road Multi-Use Project. The County of Santa Cruz Department of Community Development and Infrastructure said the project will provide pedestrians with a safer, more accessible path through the area. It also includes upgraded road crossings, new bus shelters...
Quiroz-Carter, Orozco second female duo to hold mayor, vice-mayor positions in Watsonville
When Vanessa Quiroz-Carter and Maria Orozco were sworn in Tuesday as Watsonville’s mayor and vice mayor, it marked the second time in the city’s history that women held both top spots.
The last time was in 2019, when Rebecca Garcia and Trina Coffman-Gomez served in...
Mayor casts lone ‘no’ vote in agreement for affordable housing project
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council approved an agreement with the County of Santa Cruz on a proposed 80-unit affordable apartment complex that, if approved by the county supervisors, would break ground in early 2022.
MidPen Housing, a nonprofit developer, is leading the project between Atkinson Lane...
Angry Chickz opens, Staff of Life to celebrate 5th year
A new Watsonville businesses celebrated a milestone on Friday, and another is planning its own. Staff of Life grocery store is planning to ring...
