Local News

The local folkloric dance group Esperanza del Valle will celebrate its 45th anniversary on April 4, 5 and 6 at the Crocker Theater in Aptos. The program, titled “Espirítu de Mexico,” will feature live music with guest artists Nematatín de la Universidad Veracruzana and Mariachi...

Members of VFW Post 1716 get help from Watsonville Fire Department Thursday in replacing two flags that once flew above the VFW building on Freedom Boulevard. Thieves recently stole the American flag and a POW/MIA flag along with the rope. Veteran Bob Erbe (center,...

Last week, about 30 teachers got the news they have been dreading since late February, when the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees approved reductions to several teacher positions. Roughly 30 teachers have received layoff notices—also called pink slips—on Thursday and Friday, said...

Two weeks ago, a group of Aptos High School students and staff picketed in front of the school to publicize their concerns about losing the school’s seven-period schedule. The loss of the extra class at Aptos High was seen as a necessity after the Pajaro...

When former Santa Cruz County Supervisor Greg Caput was serving in the 4th District seat, one of his goals was to bring more county services to Watsonville. It was fitting, then, when several county officials gathered in the new South County Government Center on Thursday...

Studio Judy G, an art venue in the heart of downtown Watsonville, is aiming for the exit.  Following an April 1 goodbye party owner Judy Gittelsohn describes as a “wake,” the gallery, workshop, classroom and art hub will close permanently. “I’m going into private practice,” she...

About 80 people gathered Monday in the historic Aromas Community Grange after the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) selected the Pajaro River Watershed as one of five watersheds to pilot the Watershed Resilience Program. The initiative, which is supported by a $2 million grant...

Staff of Life Natural Foods teamed up with Smart Chicken Wednesday to donate 2,639 pounds of high-quality chicken to Second Harvest Food Bank through the Smart Giving Program. “We are grateful to Staff of Life Natural Foods and Smart Chicken for their generous Donation,” said Second Harvest...

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a plan that will allow people to smoke pot at local cannabis dispensaries the way they drink at bars. The new ordinance will allow onsite consumption of marijuana products at dispensaries in the unincorporated parts...

A tiny home development for 34 homeless people slated for the parking lot of Westview Presbyterian Church in Watsonville can move forward after the City Council on Tuesday denied an appeal by a neighbors’ group that has been battling the placement of the project...