Second stimulus bill to support arts and culture venues
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—On March 10, 2020, the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz held a live performance, complete with a large audience, full band, and an open kitchen and bar.
What staff, musicians and patrons didn’t know at the time was that the concert would...
PHOTO: Our Lady of Fatima celebration
The Portuguese community gathered at St. Patrick's Church Sunday afternoon for the annual Our Lady of Fatima procession and Mass in Watsonville.
City seeks to expand cannabis businesses
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday will provide direction on major proposed modifications to the City’s cannabis laws, including the possible addition of multiple dispensaries.
According to the staff report prepared for Tuesday’s meeting, the City is recommending the addition of two retail licenses as...
Annual Taekwondo championship held in Watsonville
The Santa Cruz Open Taekwondo Championships was held Saturday for the 28th year running, and this time Watsonville played host.
ICE agents arrest Watsonville man, family seeks answers
U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement (ICE) agents on May 27 arrested a longtime Watsonville resident as he walked behind the Target store near the intersection of Harkins Slough Road and Ohlone Parkway.
The man’s nephew, who asked to be called Brandon, confirmed the arrest,...
Large Pajaro commercial space back in development
PAJARO—The County of Monterey will hold a public meeting on Thursday at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Pajaro to gather input on a large proposed commercial development on the northeast outskirts of the small town.
The planned development, known as the Miller Trust...
3-car pile-up slows Freedom Blvd.
WATSONVILLE—Firefighters were busy dealing with a 3-vehicle crash this morning on Freedom Blvd.
Watsonville Police traffic officer Sjon Tol said the male driver of a Mitsubishi Galant failed to notice traffic had stopped on southbound Freedom Boulevard just north of Main Street at 9:55 a.m....
Santa Cruz County to revise rules for retail
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County Health Officer Gail Newel said she will revise her shelter-in-place order later this week, after Gov. Gavin Newsom releases information about slightly loosening statewide restrictions.
Newsom is expected to launch Stage 2 of his “Reopening Roadmap,” which will allow retail...
Watsonville man arrested for child porn
WATSONVILLE—A cyber tip forwarded to the Watsonville Police Department landed a 25-year-old man in jail for possession and distribution of child pornography.
Tranquilino Gervacio was booked into the county jail and charged with a felony.
WPD Detectives launched an investigation after the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes...
County voting in ‘unprecedented’ numbers
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—More than 116,000 of roughly 170,000 registered Santa Cruz County voters had already turned in their ballots by Tuesday afternoon, an “unprecedented” turnout for the coastal community according to County Clerk Gail Pellerin.
“I've been doing this job since 1993 and I have...
Lawmakers weigh in at State of the Region conference
Government, business and nonprofit leaders around Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties staged the 2025 State of the Region Oct. 17 at CSU...