Local News

Two men were shot and killed early Friday morning on the 700 block of Carlton Road on the outskirts of Watsonville. Santa Cruz County Sheriff's spokeswoman Ashley Keehn said deputies were dispatched to a report of two people suffering from gunshot wounds around 12:43am. Upon...

For the second year in a row, local high school seniors got a little help in dressing up for their senior proms. Some came with their parents, and some on their own to browse among free dresses and suits thanks to the efforts of Luna y...

A fire at Bamboo Giant on Freedom Boulevard early Tuesday afternoon damaged a structure, spread into the neighboring field and closed the road in both directions. According to CalFire spokesman Tony Akin, the blaze broke out just past noon. Firefighters were met with towering flames...

After delaying the discussion for two months, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved changes to the way its science and art programs are delivered in elementary school classrooms. Under the proposal, which was presented in June by then-Superintendent Michelle...

Meetings to discuss proposed fire district assessment Property owners in the Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District are being asked to vote on a new assessment to maintain the Fire District’s current services and operations. According to the district, this measure will help to ensure adequate staffing...

President Joe Biden on Oct. 30 issued an Executive Order—a new framework of safety, security and privacy standards governing artificial intelligence (AI) designed to manage the fledgling technology. The executive order came after Santa Cruz County in September became one of the first jurisdictions in...

Plans are underway to install four larger-than-life sculptures in downtown Watsonville as part of an overall redesign of Watsonville Plaza.  While the historical gazebo/bandstand, designed by famed architect William Weeks, will still maintain its spot in the plaza center, ideas are being discussed to retrofit...

VFW Post 1716 honors students, teacher Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1716 in Freedom recently gave out scholarships and awards. Every year, the post hands out scholarships and awards to a middle school student, a high school student and selects a teacher of the year.  This year’s...

The 40th-annual Mother’s Day Run and Walk is set for Sunday morning at Pinto Lake County Park.  The event serves as a fund-raise for Pajaro Valley Shelter Services in Watsonville. The event includes a 1K Kids Run Fun, 5K Run & Walk and a 10K Run,...