The rich and storied history of Hecker Pass
The original road between Watsonville and Gilroy was a narrow, windy turnpike, dating back to 1860.
The roadway mostly still exists, and is now named Mt. Madonna Road.
But over the years, it was known at different times as Bodfish Canyon Road, the Watsonville Road and...
Suspected burglar arrested after standoff
A man suspected of breaking into his family’s home and stealing a large amount of cash was arrested after a standoff Tuesday morning.
Toys for Tots hits 33 years in Pajaro Valley
WATSONVILLE—For the past 33 years, the Toys for Tots program has delivered tons of toys to children in the Pajaro Valley and around the nation, for Christmas. This year is no exception, despite a host of limitations from the ongoing pandemic.
On Nov. 12, the...
Police spending in Watsonville’s proposed budget draws criticism
WATSONVILLE—Over the next two years, the city of Watsonville plans to invest roughly $7.5 million to give Sotomayor Soccer Field at Ramsay Park a complete makeover and get several other projects at the city’s largest park “shovel ready.”
It also hopes to increase the funding...
PVUSD, teachers union approve back-to-school plan
WATSONVILLE—One week after the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees approved a distance learning plan for the 2020-21 school year, the district signed an agreement with the teachers’ union on Thursday that approves the finer details of how teachers will return to...
Pajaro flood victims still rebuilding
Months after floods devastated parts of the Pajaro Valley, residents continue to rely on financial support from local organizations as they start to rebuild their lives.
While the waters have receded and a sense of normalcy has been restored, some people are still struggling to...
A century of wedding dresses: Pajaro Valley Historial Association opens new exhibit
The Pajaro Valley Historical Association (PVHA) is set to open a new exhibit showcasing the wedding dresses of local women from 1890 to 1990 at PVHA’s Bockius-Orr house.
PVHA board member Virginia Avila and office administrator Jodi Frensley spent more than 100 hours together curating...
Urn containing girl’s ashes stolen
SANTA CRUZ—The family of the 8-year-old girl who was murdered in 2015 is facing a new tragedy after someone stole the urn containing her ashes.
Madyson “Maddy” Middleton’s family says that her father Michel Middleton was keeping the urn in the glovebox of his unlocked...
Census workers finding residents where they live
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—With a Sept. 30 deadline to complete the nationwide 2020 Census, the federal agency has its hands full making sure every resident is counted.
But that can be difficult when residents have been evacuated due to an emergency such as the CZU August...
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...
