Fire flattens rural home in Watsonville
A burned up car and a charred heap of rubble is shown where an early morning fire swept through a double-wide mobile home Thursday on the 100 block of Paulsen Road.
Spay and neuter clinic serves South County pets
Friends of the Watsonville Animal Shelter expanded its reach last year further into South Santa Cruz County and North Monterey County when it relinquished spay and neuter operations to the new Spay and Neuter Clinic of the Pajaro Valley.
Local author releases debut mystery novel
WATSONVILLE—Author Tony Di Leonardo was visiting the Watsonville Square shopping center when he first noticed Kelly’s Books. Walking into the small independent bookstore, he started chatting with owner Kelly Pleskunas about his debut novel, “Death by Drive-By,” which had just been released in December...
Monterey County Supervisor, former Watsonville mayor arrested for alleged DUI
PRUNEDALE—Former Watsonville mayor Luis Alejo, who previously served on the California Assembly and now sits on the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, was arrested Friday on drunk driving charges.
According to California Highway Patrol Officer Jessica Madueño, officers on patrol in Prunedale just before midnight...
PVUSD to begin superintendent search, appoint interim
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday are scheduled to appoint an interim leader to fill the vacancy when current Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez leaves on June 30.
Clint Rucker, who currently serves as the district’s Chief Business Officer, will take the...
PHOTO: Pop-Up connection
Watsonville Police Cadets collect information from Linda Bernabe, Director of Dual Enrollment at Cabrillo College, Friday evening at the Watsonville Youth Center during a free Watsonville Pop-Up event. The three-hour gathering featured around 30 resource tables, raffle prizes, music, games and a dance performance....
Sheriff’s deputy arrested for allegedly having sex with inmate
SANTA CRUZ—A Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy assigned as a correctional officer in the jail has been arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship win an inmate, Sheriff’s spokeswoman Ashley Keehn announced Saturday.
Jessica Smith was charged with sexual activity with an inmate, assault by...
Neighborhood Courts looking for volunteer panelists
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Since its inception last year, more than 100 people have gone through Santa Cruz County’s Neighborhood Courts program, with 90 completing the requirements set out in their agreements and avoiding a permanent criminal record.
Now, the program is looking for a team of...
Bradley Elementary student, father killed by suspected DUI driver
A Bradley Elementary School student and his father were killed March 22 in Merced County by a suspected drunk driver, the Merced County CHP said.
Noah Reyes, 13, and his father, Adrian Reyes 40, were traveling north on State Route 165, south of Turner Avenue...
Watsonville’s Jackeline Cano named Mission Division’s best player | All-PCAL girls...
Watsonville High senior Jackeline Cano was named the Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division’s Most Valuable Player for the 2025-26 winter campaign. The Wildcatz’s...
