News

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council at its Tuesday meeting declared a stalled housing development off Ohlone Parkway a public nuisance, setting the stage for a public hearing on the item after its summer recess. Pacific Sunshine Garden at 1773 Santa Victoria Ave. has for more than...

I stopped by the watsonville Certified Farmers Market today, my first such visit in months. While I was glad to see the market up and running, the skimpy showing of people was a bit disheartening. However, I was there before 1:30pm and figured it...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County officials on Monday ordered all residents to stay home unless engaging in “essential activities, essential governmental functions, or to operate essential businesses.” In addition, all public and private outdoor gatherings are prohibited, as is all non-essential travel. Residents can still go...

An upbeat ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance headquarters at the corner of East Lake and Brewington avenues unfolded under sunny skies Thursday in Watsonville. The new facility is an expansion of PVPSA, a local nonprofit that aims...

APTOS—Highway 1 from Rio Del Mar Boulevard to State Park Drive will be closed overnight on Jan. 18-20 to repair the railroad bridge at the South Aptos Undercrossing. Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission spokesperson Shannon Munz said the work includes repair of the bridge...

SANTA CRUZ—An unsanctioned homeless camp in Santa Cruz has reopened, this time with a new name, increased security and a set of rules designed to reduce crime and drug use. Now called Camp Phoenix – after the mythological bird that rose anew out of its...

Observations from the Pajaro Valley and beyond.

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...

Numerous businesses continue to keep their windows covered with large sheets of plywood in downtown Watsonville and at the Overlook Shopping Center on Main Street. The move was triggered Wednesday night by someone who posted a notice promising “barbaric protests" Thursday as part of the...

SACRAMENTO—Senate Bill 418, authored by State Senator John Laird, was unanimously approved on the Senate floor in a 34-0 vote Thursday, paving the way for Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign the bill into law and establish a health care district for the Pajaro Valley. The...