Interim trail will cover rails, for now
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) on Thursday approved a plan to develop an interim bicycle and pedestrian trail on segments 9–11 of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line from San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz to State Park Drive in Aptos.
Thursday’s...
Esperanza del Valle celebrates 45 years
Forty five years of performances, instruction and celebration of Mexican folkloric dance culture was splashed across the Crocker Theater stage at Cabrillo College in three electrifying performances by Watsonville’s Esperanza del Valle on April 4, 5 and 6 in Aptos.
The nearly three-hour program, “Espirítu...
Group calls for increased buffer zones
Note: reporter Todd Guild contributed to this report
SALINAS—The pesticide Telone–also known as 1,3-D–is thought to be so dangerous that it is banned in 34 countries. And yet, despite having been disallowed in California from 1990-94, it is still used on crops, including on local...
Four candidates apply for Santa Cruz County Fair CEO position
The Santa Cruz County Fair Board reported on Tuesday that there are four candidates for CEO to replace former fairgrounds manager Dave Kegebein.
The board noted the CEO applications have been reviewed and the candidates have gone through an initial interview process. The candidates are...
County seeking property owners to help with homelessness crisis
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County officials are asking landlords to help alleviate the housing crisis by offering space to people who need permanent housing.
County spokesman Jason Hoppin says that a new program, called Rehousing Wave, seeks to help more than 800 people who have...
Obon Festival draws hundreds
The annual Obon Festival unfolded at the Watsonville Buddhist Temple Sunday. Hundreds of people enjoyed dance and Taiko drumming performances, traditional Japanese food, arts, crafts, a raffle and more.
For Buddhists, the Obon Festival is a time to honor deceased ancestors by inviting them back...
Ambriz, Alaniz served country with honor
WATSONVILLE—When a former member of the military dies, the Freedom Veterans of Foreign War Post 1716 Honor Guard is there to honor them with a rifle salute of three ceremonial volleys.
The service similar to the 21-gun salute is a military-style way to honor veterans...
Watsonville Police Chief asks FBI to investigate calls for ‘barbaric’ protest
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Police Chief David Honda has contacted the FBI for help in tracing the origin of a heavily-circulated social media post calling for a “barbaric protest” in Watsonville on Thursday.
The flier circulated throughout the Bay Area, Honda said, and caused a stir locally. Dozens...
Woman rams ranger with car, flees from deputies with child aboard
A San Jose woman was arrested Thursday after ramming a California State Parks ranger’s vehicle with her car and then leading police on a short pursuit.
Community leaders host rally for Measure E
Dozens of community members and local leaders gathered at a rally Friday at Watsonville Community Hospital in support of Measure E, the temporary half-cent...
