News

The Santa Cruz Police Department is investigating a shooting that erupted on the 700 block of Chestnut Street on Saturday just after midnight.

WATSONVILLE—A long-awaited major street and sidewalk improvement project on a block of Lincoln Street that bisects Watsonville High School is moving forward. The state-funded Lincoln Street Safety Improvement Project will shorten crosswalks, make the sidewalks ADA compliant, and add a mid-block crosswalk, additional lighting, new...

Summer is in full swing along the Central Coast, and with it comes a surge in outdoor activity and recreation. From mountain biking to horseback riding, fishing to swimming, the Pajaro Valley in particular has plenty to offer.  Hiking is perhaps the most popular and...

WATSONVILLE—Cafe Ella owners Erika Conrad and Jennifer DeVault say they are hopeful that their business will persevere through the COVID-19 crisis. The twin sisters, who took over the small cafe on East Lake Avenue from Ella’s at the Airport owner Ella King last year, said...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—As hundreds of people across Santa Cruz County set off an arsenal of fireworks over the Fourth of July weekend—both the illegal and the “safe-and-sane” variety that were allowed in the cities of Watsonville and Capitola—the county’s southernmost city saw several serious...

WATSONVILLE—After nearly two years of being closed to the public, Castro Adobe State Historic Park will once again invite people to come learn about an important part of California history. Located on a hill off of Larkin Valley Road and overlooking the Pajaro Valley, Castro...

WATSONVILLE—Seventeen students earned their diplomas at New School in Watsonville this year. Principal Rafael Ramirez said he was “enormously proud” of his graduates, adding that the pandemic brought on extra challenges for staff and students. “But they worked hard and we got through,” Ramirez said. “We’re...

In celebration of Juneteenth, local arts organizations will come together for Murals / Art / Activism, a multimedia project highlighting the importance of public art in activism. Juneteenth is the oldest national celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. The holiday has seen...

WATSONVILLE—Two brothers were arrested Monday and Tuesday—about 30 hours apart—after two dramatic chases involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Daniel and Thomas Smith face multiple felony charges, and are being held in Santa Cruz County Jail without bail after running from officers. The first chase began early...

After nine years, Wargin Wines will be moving its production and tasting room out of Watsonville—at least for the time being. The winery, which was established in December of 2012, was one of the first wineries to settle in the Pajaro Valley in recent years....