Man faces DUI charges after plowing into six vehicles
WATSONVILLE—A man was arrested on March 5 after he reportedly crashed into six parked vehicles with his pickup and then fled the scene.
Watsonville Police Department Sgt. Henry Robles said the man, identified as Hermeliondo Lopez, 39, was driving a GMC Sierra when he struck...
Cabrillo’s Pride flag burned in act of vandalism
WATSONVILLE—A large group of people gathered in front of Cabrillo College’s Watsonville Campus Monday to watch as a new Pride flag was raised, two days after someone burned the rainbow flag that previously flew there.
The flying of the new, larger flag came as a...
Watsonville first responders, fans send off soccer team to NorCal final
People cheer the Watsonville High School boys' soccer team as they head out of town on Riverside Drive to the Sacramento area on Saturday afternoon.
The Wildcatz are set to play for the California Interscholastic Federation Northern California Division I championship today against Whitney High...
‘Best day of the year’: Caroline’s gives $500K to local nonprofits
WATSONVILLE—Caroline’s Nonprofit Thrift Shop donated $500,000 to local community-serving organizations on Sunday in a ceremony at Martinelli’s Company Store on Harvest Drive.
Some 130 people flocked to Watsonville for the annual giveaway, which Caroline’s founder and director Christy Licker calls the organization’s “best day of...
Watsonville High Class of 1982 plans reunion
The Watsonville High School graduating class of 1982 is holding its 40th reunion on July 9 at the Pajaro Dunes in Watsonville.
Classmates interested in attending can Venmo their reservation to the class treasurer Christy Siefke, @christy-siefke. It is $50 per person.
For information, contact Gema...
County seeks public comment on Active Transportation Plan
The County of Santa Cruz has released a draft Active Transportation Plan for public review, which will be used to identify needed investments and improvements in the county’s walking and bicycling infrastructure.
People may review the plan at ecoact.org/poweredbyme, with comments due by March 25. Â
The...
Prolific local columnist, Steve Bankhead, dies
WATSONVILLE—Stephen Gerald Bankhead was a longtime Watsonville resident who made learning about Pajaro Valley’s history—and relaying it to the community—his passion in the latter part of his life.
Most recently, he wrote the Pajaro Valley Past column for The Pajaronian, taking it over from historian...
Rarities spotted in Christmas Bird Count
CENTRAL COAST—Dozens of volunteers counted 206 species of birds during the annual Christmas Bird Count, which despite its name took place on New Year's Day here in Monterey Bay and in locations throughout the U.S.
The numbers will be fused in with the Audubon Society’s...
Harm Reduction Coalition receives $100,000 grant
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Harm Reduction Coalition of Santa Cruz County (HRCSCC) has received a $100,000 grant, that will allow the nonprofit to expand its services.
The grant comes from the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors and is administered by AIDS United in...
County Chamber selects Food Bank CEO for top honor
SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce has named Second Harvest Food Bank CEO Willy Elliott-McCrea as this year’s Lifetime Achievement awardee.
Santa Cruz Director of Economic Development Bonnie Lipscomb has been named Person of the Year, while Bay Federal Credit Union, 1st Capital...
Fighting cancer in Relay for Life
For the past four decades, people fighting cancer have gathered to strengthen that battle at the annual Relay For Life.
That event unfolded Saturday at...