Adult education graduates find prosperity by looking within
WATSONVILLE—When April Ortiz became pregnant during her senior year at Watsonville High School, severe morning sickness and other complications sidelined her education.
Then came the birth.
“Mothering was a new life and a new experience,” she said.
Ortiz, now 26, received her GED on May 22 from...
Watsonville events scheduled for return in July
WATSONVILLE—If everything goes right, Independence Day will feature the first citywide in-person celebration in Watsonville since the start of the pandemic.
That’s according to Watsonville Parks and Community Service Department Director Nick Calubaquib, who says that the city is planning to hold a “static” parade...
PVUSD retools its Career Technical Education program
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville High School student Juan Baltazar spent some time in the school’s new barn Wednesday, caring for the cow he is raising to sell this summer during the Santa Cruz County Fair.
He said he has been involved in raising animals since he was in...
A message of peace—hundreds attend MLK march
Hundreds of people came to Santa Cruz Monday to honor Martin Luther King Jr., many waving signs, chanting and singing as they made their way down Pacific Avenue. Their message was one of community, activism and support.
Similar marches and events occurred throughout the U.S....
Man shot in Santa Cruz Beach Flats
SANTA CRUZ—A man was shot late Tuesday night in the Beach Flats area of Santa Cruz near the Beach Boardwalk. At least two shots were reported by multiple witnesses around Third Street at Kaye Street at 9:14 p.m.
Joyce Blaschke of the Santa Cruz Police...
Watsonville Hospital nurses picket for safety standards
WATSONVILLE—About 50 nurses – most of them wearing bright red scrubs and improvised face masks – gathered along Nielson Street at Watsonville Community Hospital (WCH) Monday morning to protest what they say is a recent decision by hospital administrators to weaken safety standards for...
Police connect with fieldworkers
The Watsonville Police Department has launched a program to help them connect with a population of people who are often reluctant to call them for help.
Parker, Bilicich deadlocked for Watsonville City Council seat
WATSONVILLE—The race for the District 7 seat on the Watsonville City Council has been the tightest contest in all of Santa Cruz County this general election.
Current District 7 representative Ari Parker and former Watsonville mayor Nancy Bilicich are separated by a mere 10 votes,...
PV Water’s plans, storage boosted during wet winter
SOUTH COUNTY—The first rainstorms of winter brought more than just moisture. With them came a chance to raise local water levels in alarmingly low aquifers and reservoirs. They also allowed water agencies across the county to put new sustainability projects—like injecting stormwater into underground...
Watsonville man caught in sex sting
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz Police on Tuesday arrested a Watsonville man after he allegedly traveled to the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf to meet who he thought was an underage girl for sex.
Valentin Rodriguez, 62, was charged with meeting a minor for lewd purposes. He...





















