California set to extend eviction protections
California renters teetering on the edge of homelessness may now be able to breathe a small sigh of relief as lawmakers move forward a last-minute deal extending eviction protections through Sept. 30.
“Even though our state has reopened, hundreds of thousands of Californians are grappling...
Redistricting committee advances two maps to final public meeting
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Community Redistricting Advisory Committee at its penultimate meeting on Tuesday advanced two proposed redistricting plans to its final meeting later this month.
Both would keep the current seven districts mostly intact, a key goal of the committee because of a possible undercount in...
Artist’s ‘gift to the community’ resumes after month-long dispute
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville artist Augie WK for two years has dreamt of bringing a humpback whale to life at the Marinovich Community Center.
It was 2019 when the upstart muralist was approached by Watsonville Environmental Science Workshop coordinator Darren Gertler and asked if he’d be interested in...
Second claim filed in Aptos High stabbing
WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley Unified School District is facing a second lawsuit stemming from the stabbing death of a 17-year-old student on the campus of Aptos High School last August.
The student, referred to in the claim as G.S., died after being attacked by two students, one...
Watsonville utiliza fondos federales para ayudar a la comunidad
WATSONVILLE—La Ciudad de Watsonville utilizará un poco más de medio millón de dólares de fondos federales para reforzar la respuesta de la comunidad a la crisis de COVID-19.
La Ciudad entregará $200,000 al Banco de Alimentos Second Harvest del Condado de Santa Cruz para apoyar...
Diócesis de Monterey muestra plan para reabrir iglesias
COSTA CENTRAL—El Obispo Daniel E. García lanzó el Domingo un anuncio de servicio público sobre cómo la Diócesis de Monterey reabrirá sus iglesias para el fin de semana.
En un video de seis minutos, la Diócesis muestra lo que los feligreses pueden esperar cuando regresen...
WHS Drama returns to the stage
The Watsonville High School (WHS) Drama Department had been preparing for a production of the musical “Matilda” in March 2020 when everything was shut down by the pandemic.
For three semesters, students were unable to return to the stage for performances, instead taking acting, tech...
New book chronicles history of the local lumber industry
It was a moment of sheer luck that historian and author Derek R. Whaley, while doing research for his own book, discovered the work of the late Ronald G. Powell.
Whaley owns local publishing company Zayante Publishing and is the author of the Santa Cruz...
Giant local beer distributor has small beginnings
George Couch was an ambitious 25-year-old when he came to Watsonville in 1973 and negotiated a deal to purchase a small Anheuser-Busch distributorship. It would not stay small for long.
His company Couch Distributing, which he runs with his brother Geoff, has since 1973 delivered...
City’s youth art contest still open for submissions
WATSONVILLE—The City of Watsonville is currently holding a special art contest for local youth, and there is still a week left for pieces to be submitted.
The “Thankful Youth Art Contest” aims to inspire young people in the Pajaro Valley to share their creativity through...
New leadership, shared priorities: Investing in the future of public safety
As we begin a new year, I want to reflect on the direction of public safety in Watsonville and the leadership helping guide that...
