Casa de la Cultura adapts annual Christmas giveaway into drive-thru
Since 1991, Sister Rosa Dolores Rodriguez has led an effort to bring holiday cheer to families in need at Casa de la Cultura in Pajaro, where she serves as Executive Director.
The organization’s annual Food and Gift Christmas Giveaway invites children to sign up prior...
Council to consider wireless ordinance changes
The Watsonville City Council will consider updating a city ordinance Tuesday to comply with state and federal laws on wireless facilities.
Mayor casts lone ‘no’ vote in agreement for affordable housing project
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council approved an agreement with the County of Santa Cruz on a proposed 80-unit affordable apartment complex that, if approved by the county supervisors, would break ground in early 2022.
MidPen Housing, a nonprofit developer, is leading the project between Atkinson Lane...
New documentary showcases Annieglass on 40th anniversary
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Forty years ago, artist Annie Morhauser arrived in Santa Cruz County with a passion for glass and a dream to succeed.
After graduating from the California College of the Arts with a degree in glassmaking, Morhauser set up shop in a small, 400-square-foot...
Chilly temps hit coast | About Town
Temperatures plunged into the low 30s Sunday night and into Monday morning. When I walked out onto my front yard early Monday frost had set in across the grounds. My neighbors’ roofs were frosty white. On Monday night the cold came back and the...
Christmas tree sellers optimistic despite national shortage
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, tree farms across the nation are thrust into the spotlight and sellers start their busiest time of year.
This year, the industry is holding steady, despite a nationwide shortage that is pushing up prices. Heatwaves and fires that...
Santa Cruz County health officer again limits access to beaches
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County Health Officer Gail Newel on Wednesday issued new restrictions on the county’s beaches, restricting their use between 11am and 5 pm starting on Saturday.
The new restrictions came after hordes of people crowded the beaches and ignored social distancing rules...
Watsonville clinic reaches 40 years
Jeffrey Solinas was a freshman in UC Santa Cruz when he decided to become a doctor.
In truth, that decision came in the form of a mandate, he said.
“My grandmother told me I had to be a doctor,” he said with a grin as he...
Street racing: a law enforcement perspective
Late one Sunday night in July, Watsonville Police got a call that a group of people was gathered in a parking lot, and someone was spinning their car in circles in a time-honored activity known as doing “donuts.”
Work program aimed at homeless individuals continues growth
WATSONVILLE—The streets of Watsonville continue to get tidied up thanks to an ever-expanding group of people experiencing homelessness that bands together and hits the streets under the WatsonvilleWorks! program.
Founded in September 2019 by a group of human services leaders, the program has thus far...
Powerful storms clobber Central Coast
A string of strong winter storms slammed the Central Coast over the past several days, toppling power and communication lines, knocking down scores of...
