County kicks off budget hearings
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday kicked off its annual budget hearings, a four-day marathon in which the board approves the county’s budget priorities for the coming fiscal year.
During the hearings, each of the county’s departments present their individual...
Mas Hashimoto, Watsonville’s ‘icon’ of integrity, dies
WATSONVILLE—Mas Hashimoto, a devout defender of civil rights whose name became synonymous with his hometown after decades of service in education, community volunteerism and historic preservation, and whose unrelenting willingness to speak, write and teach about the plight of Japanese Americans during World War...
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...
Photo: Two dead, 7 injured in Hwy 129 crash
Emergency officials deal with a two-vehicle crash on Highway 1 at Old Chittenden Road Wednesday afternoon that killed two people.
California Highway Patrol officer Stephen Armfield said the male driver of a 2008 Honda Ridgeline pickup was traveling east on Hwy 129 with two other...
Chances of thunderstorms loom after triple-digit heat hits Pajaro Valley
CENTRAL COAST—Summer came out swinging on its first day Tuesday, dishing out a high in Watsonville of 99 degrees and a whopping 104 in Corralitos.
“We had a high-pressure system over our area and much of the state, bringing very high temperatures,” said National Weather...
Aptos area CHP gains 4 new officers
APTOS—The California Highway Patrol office in Aptos has welcomed four new officers who recently graduated from the CHP Academy in West Sacramento.
“We’re excited to be adding to our local staffing numbers and look forward to watching each of these officers provide the highest level...
Cabrillo STEM department completes major mural project
In the fall of 2013, Cabrillo College celebrated the opening of a remodeled and expanded Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) center in Aptos.
After years of being in various buildings across campus, the department now had a 5,000-square-foot hub that included free tutoring, faculty...
Smoky fire chars 2.2 acres
WATSONVILLE—A large portion of the Pajaro Valley was blanketed with heavy smoke Monday afternoon after a fire erupted in a brush-covered field between the Pajaro River and 30 Riverside Road.
The 3:45pm incident drew a large response from Watsonville Fire, North Monterey County Fire and...
Photo: Firefighters quickly tame wildland blaze
A Watsonville firefighter chases flames back where a wildland fire broke out today at at around 2:40pm on Ohlone Parkway between Main Street and Harkins Slough Road. A huge cloud of white smoke engulfed nearby Panda Express restaurant as groups of onlookers stood by...
Father-son duo quietly lead Fairgrounds
The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds are more than the annual one-week autumnal event, which itself undoubtedly takes a Herculean amount of work. There are also numerous events throughout the year including horse shows, conventions and celebrations such as quinceañeras and the Evening of Wine...
Man arrested for sexual assault of a child
A Santa Cruz man known for coaching Pop Warner football in Santa Cruz was arrested Tuesday for an alleged sexual assault involving a minor.
Christopher...