Aptos burglary case ends in mistrial
SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office will retry the case of a man who was shot as he allegedly broke into an Aptos residence to burglarize it.
The trial of Damien Welch ended in mistrial on Nov. 1 when a single juror did...
Freedom Bakery, teacher team up to support healthcare workers
WATSONVILLE—Freedom Bakery owner Anna Liu said her new line of cookies was inspired by her children.
Seeing her 9-, 12- and 15-year-olds dealing with school being closed due to the countywide shelter-in-place order is difficult, she said, and made her want to do something for...
Electric light rail demonstration draws crowds in Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—Residents flocked to the corner of Beach and Walker streets this weekend to experience an electric light rail streetcar that could one day be implemented in Santa Cruz County.
Coast Futura (CF), an alliance of people from various county organizations, scheduled the demonstration with Roaring...
New DNA lab will save money, expedite cases
For years, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office’s sciences lab has been analyzing crime scene evidence: data from cell phones and computers, tire tread marks and fingerprints, just to name a few.
But analyzing DNA evidence—a field that takes not only a science background and...
Judge rejects challenge to rail provider
A Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge on Friday rejected a legal challenge to an earlier decision by the Regional Transportation Commission to enter an agreement with a rail operator to operate on the tracks that run from Watsonville to Davenport.
Showcasing contemporary music
The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music has hit the stage in its 57th season with its focus on the new—the here and now of contemporary works for orchestra.
Business owner, lifelong Monterey County resident announces supervisorial run
ROYAL OAKS—North Monterey County farmer and businessman Glenn Church, whose family’s roots in the area date back to the Civil War, announced on Thursday that he is running for District 2 Supervisor. The election will take place on June 7, 2022.
In a press release...
PHOTO: Mosaic grows on downtown Watsonville parking garage
The latest addition to the exterior walls of the six-story Civic Plaza parking garage on Rodriguez Street has been completed. The new installation features 30 colorful panels depicting early immigrants to the Pajaro Valley, including Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Irish, African American and others. A...
Carrillo pleads guilty to federal murder charges
SAN FRANCISCO—The Ben Lomond man who used a homemade assault rifle to kill a federal law enforcement officer outside an Oakland courthouse nearly two years ago pleaded guilty on Feb. 11 to the charges in Northern District Court in San Francisco.
Steven Carrillo, who formerly...
Grey Bears director announces retirement
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—After 12 years at the helm of Grey Bears, executive director Tim Brattan has announced that he will be retiring from his position by the end of 2022.
Grey Bears is a nonprofit aiming to improve the health and well-being of seniors and...
Thousands attend No Kings rallies
Thousands of people crowded into Watsonville Plaza and surrounding streets Saturday as part of the nationwide No Kings protest against President Trump, his administration...