Local News

WATSONVILLE—In a 7-2 vote Tuesday, the Santa Cruz County Fair Board terminated Fairgrounds Manager Dave Kegebein’s employment, a decision that generated outcry from members of the public. Board Members Jody Belgard and Loretta Estrada voted no. “This is probably the darkest and most difficult day this...

WATSONVILLE—On March 30, the Watsonville Municipal Airport (KWVI) announced it had renewed a two-year lease with Watsonville-based Urban Organics, aiming to bring fresh produce to the community as the sole organic farm within city limits. At the southernmost tip of airport property, just over the...

Rickey Crawford, 34, has been charged with sodomy of a person under 18, oral copulation of a person under 18, rape, sex with a minor. He was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail, jail records show.

Last week my friend and I saw “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” at Watsonville’s Green Valley Cinema.

I spoke with the National Weather Service today and a meteorologist told me that a long dry period was about to settle over our region for a long time, possibly through the end of the month, which is not good, being that it is...

WATSONVILLE—After decades of efforts by local, state and federal officials, plans to rebuild the Pajaro River Levee can now move forward after voters in Watsonville approved an assessment on their annual property tax bills that will pay for the maintenance and operations costs. The Pajaro...

More than 100 people spent their Saturday morning in the community room of the Watsonville Civic building, where they joined the City Council and other officials in discussions about Watsonville’s General Plan. The council made no official decisions during the informal meeting, which was one...

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville High School site council committee is still onboard with a renovation project at Emmett M. Geiser Field, but now it will not have to decide whether or not to use Measure L funds to help pay for it. Instead, Pajaro Valley Unified School...

SANTA CRUZ—The woman accused of stabbing her husband to death in their home in the Aptos Hills on Aug. 24 was defending herself at the time of the attack, her attorney told reporters Thursday. Amanda Owens, 51, pleaded not guilty to murder charges during a...

LIVE OAK—A Live Oak woman who reportedly drove her car off a cliff into the sea with her two children on Sept. 17 is now facing attempted homicide and child endangerment charges, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said. The 38-year-old woman, who has not...