Sandra Day O’Connor, first woman on the Supreme Court, dies at 93
Sandra Day O’Connor, the retired Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, died Friday morning in Phoenix, Ariz. of complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness. She was 93.
O’Connor, who was a close friend of the late Diane Porter...
Spreading Christmas cheer
Hundreds of cars slowly filed through the annual Christmas Giveaway put on by Casa de la Cultura in Pajaro on Tuesday.
In collaboration with a list of supporting groups, organizers aim to bolster low-income residents, especially farmworkers, during the holidays, with food, clothing, wrapped gifts,...
Watsonville teen is County Board of Education’s first student trustee
After decades of making decisions that affect the lives of students throughout Santa Cruz County, the County Board of Education on Thursday inaugurated its first student trustee.
Oscar Alvarez-Delgado, a 17-year-old senior from Pajaro Valley High School, was chosen from five applicants.
Santa Cruz County Office...
Pajaro floods two years later: many still waiting for recovery funds
In 2023, the California legislature approved Assembly Bill 102—the Budget Act of 2023—which among other things allocated $20 million to Monterey County to help Pajaro recover from the flooding that occurred after the levee breached and caused widespread flooding.
But one year later, just one-quarter...
Former Watsonville High auto shop teacher, drivers’ ed instructor looks to 100th birthday
On a recent sunny afternoon, Ray Burgess stood on the porch of the Corralitos home in which he has lived for six decades, staring out at the pastoral apple orchard across the street. He had just donned the same WWII jacket he wore as...
Pandemic-initiated emergency allotments from CalFresh end
A Santa Cruz County resident and Second Harvest Food Bank client who received $281 per month in CalFresh benefits for more than two years saw those benefits decrease to $40 in April.
The woman, who asked not to be identified, says the recent ending of...
PHOTO: Clouds briefly step aside for eclipse
The trail of a commercial jetliner is shown, thanks to a long exposure, crossing the sky as an eclipse of the moon, known as the super blood wolf moon, takes place Sunday night as seen from Santa Cruz.
$2 million grant to fund youth mental health center in Watsonville
In a little more than a year, the Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley will create a center where young people will be able to access a variety of mental health services.
The creation of the allcove youth drop-in center is made possible by a...
Natural gas lines being inspected in Watsonville
Pacific Gas and Electric Company is working this winter to enhance the safety and reliability of its natural gas system in Watsonville.
Briefs 9/11/25
Mexican Independence Day celebration
The annual Mexican Independence Day Festival will take place in downtown Watsonville Sunday from 11:30am-5pm
Hosted by Fiestas Patrias, the festival will...