Local News

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—When Santa Cruz County students return to the classroom, some as early as Aug. 12, they will be required to wear masks while indoors, but will—at least for now—be free from the social distancing requirements that came during the last school year. There...

Local law enforcement officers from a number of surrounding counties will take to the racetrack to “fund-race” for Special Olympics Northern California (SONC) at the 2017 Police in Pursuit event on Friday at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville.

WATSONVILLE—After two summers of canceled, postponed and altered activities, the City of Watsonville will be bringing back its seasonal offerings in full force this year. From annual events such as the Watsonville Strawberry Festival and the Spirit of Watsonville Fourth of July Parade, to new...

Late in 2022, when officials from Pajaro Valley Unified School District took a look at its high school seniors, they noticed a disturbing trend: many were not meeting their graduation requirements and were at risk of not receiving their diplomas. And so Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez...

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday will receive an update of ongoing talks between the city and Fox Theater owner Hank Garcia for the possible purchase or lease of the historic cinema in downtown. The item is included in the City Council’s closed session agenda...

WATSONVILLE—In the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees race, Trustee Area 6 incumbent Maria Orozco has garnered more than 5% of the 6,145 votes tallied as of 2pm Thursday, putting her far ahead of Adam Bolaños Scow and likely clinching the seat.  “I’m...

WATSONVILLE—Officers from six law agencies met at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Tuesday through Thursday for training in how to respond to civil disobedience. California Highway Patrol officer Dave Reed said the Mobile Field Force Disobedience course focuses on policy protocol for law enforcement officials...

Popular Mexican music group Banda el Recodo will make a stop in Watsonville this weekend.

Twenty Watsonville artists are participating in the Arts Council of Santa Cruz County’s Open Studios, up from 12 in 2016, according to Open Studios and Events Director Ann Ostermann.

Members of the Campaign for Organic & Regenerative Agriculture (CORA) welcomed Miss California’s Teen Jasmine Wu Nov. 1 on a special tour of Pajaro Valley neighborhoods and schools that are surrounded by fields where pesticides are used. Wu, joined by CORA co-founder Adam Scow and...