Potentially disease-carrying mosquitoes found near Watsonville
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County officials this week announced that they have found in Watsonville a species of mosquito known to carry the diseases dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever.
Those diseases are not currently found in California, and none of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes—found...
Man arrested for allegedly molesting child at daycare
A Watsonville man was arrested Thursday morning on allegations of sexual abuse of a minor at a Watsonville daycare facility.
Ramon Castillo-Ruiz, 28, was charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and possession of a controlled substance. He was booked into...
Rocks Ranch property sold to Land Trust
A stretch of road alongside Highway 101 could soon be home to a tunnel complex turned wildlife crossing under the busy highway.
The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County announced Sept. 9 that it has agreed to purchase the 2,640-acre Rocks Ranch in Aromas at...
Lawsuit targets Harm Reduction Coalition
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—A group of Santa Cruz residents filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Sacramento County Superior Court to stop the Harm Reduction Coalition of Santa Cruz County (HRC) from continuing its syringe services program.
Launched in 2018, the nonprofit HRC—and “harm reduction” programs in general—operate...
Esperanza Community Farms receives $50k grant
Since 2017, Esperanza Community Farms in Watsonville has provided affordable organic produce to hundreds of local families, while aiming to promote healthy eating, sustainability and economic justice.
And now, thanks to a $50,000 grant from the No Kid Hungry Centering Equity Fund, Esperanza has linked...
CHP calling on drivers to follow speed limits during Covid-19 crisis
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Though there is far less traffic nowadays with the stay-at-home order, the California Highway Patrol is reminding people it doesn’t mean there are now fewer laws.
“We are experiencing people traveling at higher speeds, but we are out there patrolling,” said CHP officer...
Briefs: Kabwasa to perform in Watsonville
Kabwasa to perform in Watsonville
Singer-songwriter Kabwasa, a Watsonville native, will return to his hometown for a show on Oct. 28.
Kabwasa will be joined by special guests at Cerveceros Union Tap Room, 410 Rodriguez St. in Watsonville, at 7pm.
The performance is open to those age...
Sex offender arrested for stalking, touching girl
Watsonville Police on Tuesday arrested a registered sex offender after he allegedly followed and inappropriately touched a 17-year-old girl.
Kenneth Wilder, 31, has been charged with assault with intent to commit rape, stalking, annoying or molesting a minor and sexual battery.
As a registered sex offender,...
