Land Trust plans Rocks Ranch conservation
AROMAS—The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County plans to protect nearly all of the 2,640-acre Rocks Ranch in Aromas from development, the organization announced Feb. 11.
The ranch has been in the spotlight recently following the San Benito County Supervisors’ intent to rezone a portion...
Watsonville native, ‘raw talent’ actor, hits the big-time
Watsonville High graduate Sedrick Cabrera never planned on being an actor.
He described himself in high school as a “three-sport athlete” who was considered by his teachers to be “a little too social at times.” He constantly brushed aside stage teacher David Scott’s entreaties to...
Former Rodeway Inn to become 120-bed residential treatment center for Janus of Santa Cruz
A former Watsonville hotel is set to be converted into a 120-bed residential treatment facility for men, significantly expanding substance use disorder treatment capacity in Santa Cruz County.
Janus of Santa Cruz officially received the keys on March 9 to the former Rodeway Inn property...
Watsonville oversized vehicle ordinance takes effect
A new city ordinance restricting where oversized vehicles and trailers can park took effect on March 13.
The ordinance prohibits oversized vehicles and all types of trailers—regardless of size—from parking on city streets, alleys, city-owned or maintained parking lots, and other public property. City officials...
Watsonville Plaza redesign efforts underway
Plans are underway to install four larger-than-life sculptures in downtown Watsonville as part of an overall redesign of Watsonville Plaza.
While the historical gazebo/bandstand, designed by famed architect William Weeks, will still maintain its spot in the plaza center, ideas are being discussed to retrofit...
Big rig driver arrested following reported hit-and-run, highway pursuit
MOSS LANDING—A big rig driver was arrested Thursday night after leading officers on a multi-county chase down Highway 1, following a hit-and-run collision in Santa Cruz.
Alyssa Gutierrez of the California Highway Patrol said Santa Cruz police initially tried to pull over a white tractor-trailer...
City Council approves budget as calls for cuts to WPD continue
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a biennial budget that will keep Watsonville Police Department’s staffing at current levels, and invest roughly $7.5 million into a rebuild of Ramsay Park.
The decision came after two dozen people at the virtual meeting echoed a...
Watsonville High sends 522 into the world
Five hundred and twenty-two graduates of Watsonville High School filed across the stage at Geiser Field on the afternoon of June 6, putting to end the school year of 2024-25.
Prior to the ceremony — his second such year as principal — Joe Gergorio said,...
Police arrest teen suspected in Watsonville homicide
WATSONVILLE—A teenager was arrested Thursday in the shooting death of a 19-year-old man Sept. 4 on Sudden Street.
Michelle Pulido, spokeswoman for Watsonville Police, said detectives worked through the week and were able to identify a 15-year-old male suspect connected to the fatal shooting.
On Thursday...
County bolsters rules for abandoned, inoperable RVs
Abandoned, wrecked, disabled and inoperable vehicles parked on public roadways in the county’s unincorporated areas have long bedeviled residents—who say they are eyesores—as well as law enforcement officials, who were reluctant to have them towed.
That’s because county ordinance—which allowed towing of abandoned RVs and...
Walgreen to pay $6 million in price scanner and expired products...
Walgreens has agreed to pay $6 million to settle allegations it overcharged customers and sold expired products in California, including violations identified in Santa...
