Local News

WATSONVILLE—Less than a week after crews began construction of a new restroom in the City Plaza, the city of Watsonville was awarded a $3.5 million grant from State Parks to renovate the entire historic downtown park. The grant was announced Wednesday evening as part of...

After living in Watsonville Nursing Center for nearly three years, Rosalie Strong spent her first night in her new apartment on Dec. 28, a step that seemed an unattainable dream just a few months ago.

Santa Cruz County officials are urging the public to avoid crowding the county’s beaches in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. With shelter-in-place orders in place throughout California, non-essential workers are staying home, schools and universities are switching to online classes and some...

The report, which was conducted by Los Angeles-based Beacon Economics, also showed a drastic increase over a five-year period in the number of young adults who still live with their parents or in-laws. According to the report, the percentage of people age 25 to 29 in that situation jumped from 17 percent in 2012 to 46 percent in 2017.

The County of Santa Cruz has named multi-media artist Guillermo “Yermo” Aranda as the 2021 Artist of the Year. Every year the Arts Commission presents the award to a local artist for their achievements in performing, visual or literary arts, as well as their contributions...

WATSONVILLE—A woman was injured when a fire roared through her mobile home Thursday at Meadows Manor, 49 Blanca Lane. Michelle Pulido, spokeswoman for Watsonville Police, said two good Samaritans burst through the front door of the single-wide home after they spotted flames and smoke barreling...

Pesticide meeting set for Monday The California Department of Pesticide Regulation will hold a meeting Monday from 4-6:30pm at the Family Center in Ramsay Park regarding pesticide use and regenerative farming.  “It is a rare in-person opportunity for the public to demand pesticide reduction and elimination...

City staff will now finalize the plan and prepare an application that will be submitted to state officials in hopes of qualifying for Prop 68 funds. The deadline for the first round of funding from the voter-approved $4.1 billion bond measure, according to Watsonville Director of Parks and Community Services Nick Calubaquib, is Aug. 3.

WATSONVILLE—Minutes after Santa Cruz County received state approval to reopen barbershops and hair salons on May 30, barber Rigo Navarro said he received the first of what would be a flood of calls from his loyal customers asking when he would be open for...

About a dozen people march March 29 in downtown Santa Cruz to garner awareness and support for homeless people. Put on by Food Not Bombs and the Homeless Union, their message to the people along Pacific Avenue was to stop the sweeps of homeless...