Local News

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—President Joe Biden on Saturday declared a disaster exists in the storm-damaged parts of California, freeing up federal aid to help state and local recovery efforts in Merced, Sacramento and Santa Cruz counties. Biden’s declaration came hours after Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator...

PAJARO—On the same day that the City of Watsonville lifted its evacuation warnings and orders, residents of the town of Pajaro are questioning why the orders keeping them out of their homes still stand. The Main Street bridge over the Pajaro River was still closed...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Police Department lifted all evacuation warnings in the City of Watsonville on Monday.  Access into Pajaro from Watsonville is still closed off by the Monterey County Sheriff's Office and will remain closed until Monterey County officials lift the road closures.  Santa Cruz County officials have...

SEACLIFF—The tidal surge that ravaged Seacliff State Beach on Jan. 5 destroyed much of the park’s protective sea wall, all but destroyed the campground and ravaged the pier so severely that the entire structure is “actively failing” and likely beyond repair. That was the message...

WATSONVILLE—When filing an insurance claim for damage incurred during the recent storms, property owners are advised never to use the word “flood.”  Insurance companies—driven by profit and therefore disinclined to part with their money—typically categorically deny claims for flood damage. That was among the advice...

Every year, local arts organization Pajaro Valley Arts (PVA) hosts an annual Members Exhibit, where its members have the chance to showcase their artwork to the community. This year’s show, dubbed “New Beginnings,” opens on Jan. 18 and will include the work of 95 local...

On Jan. 8, as the third deluge in a little more than a week bore down upon the Central Coast, Pajaro Valley Unified School District closed all of its schools, a measure they said was intended to protect kids and their families from possible...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) recently announced nearly $1.4 million in Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants to expand local Covid-19 vaccination efforts. Funding will support health centers across the congressional district to administer updated COVID-19 vaccines. Salud Para La Gente...

WATSONVILLE—Spectrum has opened its first store in Watsonville, featuring the latest devices and accessories for Spectrum Mobile. Spectrum is a suite of communications services offered by Charter Communications, Inc., a broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving more than 32 million customers in 41 states.  “Our...

WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley Unified School District announced the closure of several schools on Thursday due to impacts from the ongoing storm systems. This includes Hall District, Calabasas, Ann Soldo, Ohlone and Radcliff elementary schools, Lakeview and Pajaro middle schools and Watsonville and Renaissance high schools. All other...