Local News

While food banks act as the safety net against hunger, CalFresh (formerly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP) is the first line of defense. CalFresh’s goal is to improve the health and well-being of people who qualify for the program in every community. It...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—A large group of workers rallied at the Santa Cruz County building Tuesday morning, before telling the County Board of Supervisors they are prepared to strike if ongoing contract negotiations do not go their way. Officials for SEIU Local 521, the union representing...

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...

WATSONVILLE—For the first time ever, the city of Watsonville has its very own poet laureate. Longtime resident Robert Gómez will for the next two years be working to advance the literary arts throughout the Pajaro Valley.  A poet laureate is appointed by a government or...

WATSONVILLE—A man was shot in a brazen daylight attack on Madison Street on New Year’s Eve. Watsonville Police Department Sgt. Henry Robles said the suspect, a man in his early 20s wearing black clothing, shot the male victim on the street around 4:30pm near the...

WATSONVILLE—The Monterey Bay Rose Society (MBRS) will once again be holding its annual series of free rose pruning classes at various locations across the region. Things kick off Saturday at 10:30am at the Display Rose Garden at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville residents will have a new representative at the federal level after the June primary following a massive political shift in the recent decennial redistricting process completed last month. Formerly included in the 20th Congressional District with the rest of the Central Coast, Watsonville will...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors took the first step in updating the county’s climate action strategy, a response to global warming and its effects on infrastructure and the people who live here. Updating the County’s Climate Action Plan—first adopted in 2013—is...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County has committed $5 million to help a local group of healthcare professionals purchase Watsonville Community Hospital’s operations. The County’s Board of Supervisors passed the item without comment, since it was on the consent agenda. The Pajaro Valley Healthcare District Project (PVHDP)...

SALINAS—A Salinas Police Department officer was shot and killed on Feb. 25 during a traffic stop, and a suspect has been arrested. Salinas Chief of Police Roberto Filice said that around 10:45pm Officer Jorge David Alvarado, Jr. made a traffic stop on Griffin Street at...