News

WATSONVILLE—As lunchtime drew to a close Wednesday, fourth- and fifth-grade students at Starlight Elementary School began to gradually filter into the classroom of art teacher Meredith Branan Freeman. They were there to learn about stop-motion animation and create their own movies. Some students worked individually,...

WATSONVILLE—​​A man who police say caused thousands of dollars in damage at Watsonville Police Department was arrested Tuesday. Police say Eduardo Nava, 42, chucked a large rock through an office window where officers were meeting Tuesday morning. “The officers rushed out of the office towards the...

WATSONVILLE—After years of waiting, advocating, fighting and fretting, people who live near the Pajaro River – and in the community around it – can breathe a sigh of relief. That’s after a feasibility report released Thursday by the Army Corps of Engineers, and a separate...

MONTEREY BAY—Connected in Pride 2.0, a free virtual Pride celebration hosted by Monterey and Santa Cruz counties’ leading LGBTQ+ organizations, will take place on July 24th via various virtual platforms. Participating groups include Pajaro Valley Pride, Monterey Peninsula Pride, Salinas Valley Pride and Santa Cruz...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Police arrested a man on Jan. 8 for several gun-related charges after he allegedly fired a gun. Irineo Ramirez, 42, was charged with unlawfully discharging a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm in a public place and possession of a gun not registered to him....

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Democratic Central Committee (SCCDCC) on Wednesday sent a cease and desist letter to Jimmy Dutra–who is running for the Santa Cruz County Fourth District Supervisor seat–after he sent an election mailer bearing the logo of the Democrat party. The...

A group of volunteers has painted a large Black Lives Matter mural on a stretch of Center Street in downtown Santa Cruz in front of City Hall. The project was spearheaded by Santa Cruz artist Abi Mustapha, with help from Arts Commission Vice-Chair Sean...

WATSONVILLE—A father and son who have faced numerous marijuana-related charges in the past were arrested again on April 19 after a California Highway Patrol officer found nearly five pounds of marijuana in their vehicle. According to CHP officer Sam Courtney, Elias Ayala Gutierrez, 50, and...

Observations from around the Pajaro Valley.

A new laundromat has opened in the East Lake Village Shopping Center.  Owner Robert Ruiz said Laundry Room features 30 driers and 35 heavy-duty washing machines that can handle from two to eight loads (80 pounds) of wash. The 2,000-square-foot facility, which replaces a former laundromat...