Local News

Watsonville firefighter Nate Tapiz douses hot spots in a car fire that erupted on the 100 block of Wagner Avenue Wednesday.

SANTA CRUZ—Nearly seven years ago, a group of eight gang members gathered in a Main Street restaurant, where they socialized and drank before going outside to gun down a rival gang member at a nearby hotel in a planned attack. The victim, Ramon Rendon, died...

WATSONVILLE—When Bike Santa Cruz County approached South County officials to start up a monthly community bike ride, Watsonville Cyclery owner Julian “Jules” Mandujano was eager to get involved. Every last Friday of the month, Mandujano offers up his business at 25 East 5th St. as...

WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley Unified School District Trustee Karen Osmundson has held her Area III seat since 2004, and has survived challenges in four elections and garnered support of educators districtwide.  But this year will mark the end of her tenure. While she said she plans to remain...

WATSONVILLE — The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday accepted $112,000 in grants from the California Office Traffic Safety that will boost Watsonville Police Department’s efforts in traffic enforcement and safety. The funds were split between two grants with $70,000 going toward the Selective Traffic Enforcement...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville renters that have been under increased financial pressure during the COVID-19 outbreak received some good news Monday. The City Council by a 5-2 vote approved a temporary moratorium on evictions for tenants—both residential and commercial—affected by the fallout of the global coronavirus pandemic. The emergency...

Saturday’s criterium (a closed-circuit cycling event) featured eight categories of adult races between noon and 5 p.m., racing for 45-60 minutes. Presented by Velo Promo and Golden Chain Cyclists, the USA Cycling race attracts cyclists from across California.

This is a complete list of 40 groups we’re raising money for in this year’s Santa Cruz Gives holiday giving campaign. Go to santacruzgives.org to donate to one or more of this year’s participants. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY Organization Mission: We create and support...

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council will have a public hearing on May 25 concerning proposed utilities rate increases over the next five years, a cost city staff says is needed in order to make several upgrades to ailing infrastructure. The new rates would mean a typical...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County Sheriff's deputies arrested a man in Turlock Thursday on suspicion of murder in a cold case stemming back to 1995. Investigators were able to find forensic evidence linking John Laroche, 63, to the case, Ashley Keehn, a spokesperson for...