Panetta tells businesses he’ll fight offshore oil drilling
Since November, local business leaders have grown concerned about the impacts that offshore oil drilling may have on the region’s economy, after the Trump administration released a plan proposing two sites off California’s central coast.
In reaction, advocates of local industries that rely on a...
District downsizing Ohlone special education program
WATSONVILLE—The special education program at Ohlone Elementary School is facing major changes next year after Pajaro Valley Unified School District shuffled teachers and services at the school.
The school currently has three separate programs for its special ed students, the first of which is a...
PG&E plans to increase undergrounding efforts
CALIFORNIA—In recent years, residents of the Golden State have been hit with another unwelcome event: repetitive power outages. The outages that once occasionally darkened our homes have become almost routine year-round occurrences, and Californians have been clamoring for Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E)...
First-ever Drive-Thru Crab Feed a booming success
WATSONVILLE—Following the tremendous success of the first-ever Holiday Lights Drive-thru at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds during Christmas, the 2021 Drive-Thru Crab Feed proved to be another booming hit Saturday.
Fairgrounds Foundation spokesman Ron Haedicke said they sold out all 472 meals in the inaugural...
Tight market, recent disasters put strain on local home buyers
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—For the past few years, local real estate agents have seen a drastic dip in inventory of homes in Santa Cruz County. And with the ongoing pandemic and recent wildfires that destroyed close to 1,000 homes in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the...
Watsonville NETworX to hold open house
Watsonville NETworX is inviting the community to attend its open house event Jan. 18 at the Watsonville First United Methodist Church.
City Council moves Ohlone Parkway housing project forward
WATSONVILLE—Highlighting the city’s housing woes and the environmental checks and balances at the county level, the Watsonville City Council on Tuesday approved changes to plans for a large housing development on Ohlone Parkway.
Hillcrest Estates, previously known as Sunshine Vista, will have slightly fewer homes—falling...
County offering free lunches for fire evacuees
SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Emergency Operations Center has announced it will be offering a free lunch program for evacuees of the CZU Lightning Complex fires beginning Tuesday.
The meals are being provided by an anonymous donor through local participating restaurants, food trucks and companies...
Judge temporarily halts Pajaro levee cleanup
PAJARO—A federal judge has granted a temporary restraining order filed by an attorney representing dozens of people living in the Pajaro River levee against a planned cleanup organized by Monterey County officials.
Anthony Prince, general counsel for the California Homeless Union/Statewide Organizing Council, on Wednesday...
Community Bridges celebrates new downtown mural
Dozens of people gathered in downtown Watsonville Friday afternoon to celebrate the completion of a new large outdoor mural at Community Bridges at the corner of Main Street and West Lake Avenue.
Titled “Wisdom of Our Elders,” the colorful 225-foot-by-32-foot mural represents a collaboration between...
Letters to the Editor, March 27-April 2
Regarding benefit caps
The local teacher’s union, PVFT, has been loudly crying during negotiations with the school district, PVUSD, to not put a cap on...





















