Local News

What's going on? | July 27-Aug. 2

PAJARO—On the same day that the City of Watsonville lifted its evacuation warnings and orders, residents of the town of Pajaro are questioning why the orders keeping them out of their homes still stand. The Main Street bridge over the Pajaro River was still closed...

WATSONVILLE — Saul Ruiz never thought he would have to leave Watsonville. A 1999 Watsonville High School graduate, Ruiz was just settling into his “dream job” as his alma mater’s athletic director after taking over the position three years ago in 2013. He was also making...

The County of Santa Cruz has begun installing surveillance cameras at key locations in unincorporated areas of the County to help prevent illegal dumping, a strategy to protect the environment and help keep Santa Cruz County clean. Illegal dumping costs local taxpayers nearly half a...

After Santa Cruz County last year saw a drop in the numbers of unhoused people, the numbers this year from the annual Point In Time (PIT) count conducted in January stayed mostly static. The PIT Count is an estimate of the number of people experiencing...

Editor’s note: This is the third entry in a series that will break down the California Propositions going to voters in the Nov. 3 election. To read the first entry click here, and to read the second entry click here. California voters will make a...

A weekly column that celebrates local businesses — especially eateries, watering holes, coffee shops and the like.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—As people venture out for the Christmas holiday, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is preparing for a busy travel weekend in Santa Cruz  County.   The CHP will kick off a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) beginning at 6:01pm today and will continue through 11:59pm Monday.   During...

WATSONVILLE—The board tasked with purchasing and overseeing Watsonville Community Hospital told the Santa Cruz County Supervisors Tuesday that they still have to raise roughly $15 million by Aug. 31 to complete the $61.7 million sale. The Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board of Directors has...

WATSONVILLE—On Wednesday the Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast (GSCCC) announced that it is extending its Cookie Program until April 18, and will reopen some traditional troop cookie booths across the region. The news comes as much of the state moves from the purple tier...