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Watsonville
February 4, 2026

Murphy Road closed due to flooding

Due to recent storms and rising river levels, county officials have closed Murphy Road in Aromas.

Man arrested after damaging city elevator

A man was arrested Feb. 1 after surveillance footage caught him using a torch lighter to damage a city elevator.

Community celebrates annual awardees

Alex Solano was recognized alongside Woman of the Year Lori Butterworth, Man of the Year Brad Hubbard, Business of the Year Alladin Nursery, Organization of the Year Dientes Community Dental Care and Event of the Year Aldina Real Estate Charity Chili Cook-off during the chamber's annual awards dinner.

About Town, Week of Feb. 4

Observations from around the Pajaro Valley.

Aptos murder suspect makes first court appearance

In Santa Cruz Superior Court, suspected murderer Patrick A. Collins made his first appearance early Monday before Judge Stephen Siegel.

PHOTO: Tree crashes over highway

A motorist drives south on Highway 1 early Saturday morning where a massive eucalyptus tree crashed over McGregor Drive in Aptos and into the southbound lane of Highway 1 just after 2 a.m.

Rain doesn’t halt World Wetlands Day

With torrent rains pummeling the region in the early morning, volunteers slipped in the drenching vegetation and shoveled heavy clumps of mud at Ramsay Park as they planted 20 oak trees and smaller plants along Watsonville Slough for World Wetlands Day.

Grant will allow expanded immigrant services

The Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County announced Friday that it has been awarded a $731,000 grant that will allow the organization to expand its services to immigrant communities in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties.

Art on the battlefield: Karate instructor aims to preserve tradition

Sensei Fred Castillo has continued practicing and teaching karate in Watsonville for decades.

Downtown artwork receives international recognition

Watsonville artist Kathleen Crocetti’s "Celebrating the Diversity of Labor" project was recently awarded the 2019 Best Community Project in the 18th Annual Mosaic Arts International Juried Exhibition.
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Jim Barsi talks about the sale of Barsi's Liquor Store in 2019.

Jim Barsi—owner of Barsi’s Liquor Store—dies

James Joseph “Jim” Barsi, who ran his eponymous liquor store on East Lake Avenue for a half-century before selling the business and retiring in...