Correctional officer party likely cause of new Santa Cruz County outbreak
By Jake Pierce, Good Times News Editor
There are now 10 confirmed Covid-19 cases among correctional officers in the outbreak at the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.
Also, seven officers are in isolation while they quarantine due to possible exposure to the novel coronavirus that’s driving the...
Watsonville man killed in crash on Amesti Road identified
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville man who died early Friday morning in a solo-vehicle crash on Amesti Road has been identified as Andres Garcia Vidal.
California Highway Patrol officer Sam Courtney said Vidal, 33, was driving a blue 1998 Volkswagen Beetle eastbound on Amesti Road east of Cypress...
Aptos/La Selva firefighters take historic step
Aptos/La Selva Firefighters on Monday said they have issued a vote of no confidence against Chief Jon Jones, marking the first such move in the department’s 87-year history.
Exhibit showcases local photojournalists
From images of civil unrest in the past to the present day-to-day life in Santa Cruz County, Pajaro Valley Arts has brought the work of five photographers together in its latest exhibit.
World’s reported Covid death toll passes 4 Million
The world’s known coronavirus death toll passed 4 million Thursday, a loss roughly equivalent to the population of Los Angeles, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.
It took nine months for the virus to claim 1 million lives,...
Consent agenda: WPD awarded two grants to boost traffic safety
WATSONVILLE — The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday accepted $112,000 in grants from the California Office Traffic Safety that will boost Watsonville Police Department’s efforts in traffic enforcement and safety.
The funds were split between two grants with $70,000 going toward the Selective Traffic Enforcement...
Bridge Street homeless encampment will close Jan. 3
WATSONVILLE—The city of Watsonville and a local homeless union have come to an agreement that will dismantle the encampment on Bridge Street where some 25 people are currently staying.
The two parties hammered out the terms of the agreement in a whirlwind series of telephonic...
Santa Cruz County Supervisors approve emergency declaration
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Supervisors on Tuesday ratified an emergency declaration for the winter storms that occurred on Dec. 13. County Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios made the initial declaration on Dec. 21.
The decision will allow the county to receive state funding under...
Funcionarios dan consejos para disminuir el riesgo de contraer Covid-19 en reuniones
WATSONVILLE—Los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC, por sus siglas en inglés) actualizaron el Lunes sus recomendaciones para actividades personales y sociales, dando a las personas un breve libro de jugadas sobre cómo pueden disminuir sus posibilidades de contraer el...
Wine event reignites vacant downtown location
WATSONVILLE—The long-vacant Gottschalks building in downtown Watsonville will come to life on Oct. 17 for Uncorked in Downtown, an evening of wine, food and fun put on by Pacific Coast Development.
The event, spearhead by Neva Hansen, will feature wines from Anatum Winery, Wargin Wines,...
New leadership, shared priorities: Investing in the future of public safety
As we begin a new year, I want to reflect on the direction of public safety in Watsonville and the leadership helping guide that...

















