News

WATSONVILLE—Last Thursday Rev. Robin Mathews-Johnson, who has served as pastor of the Watsonville First United Methodist Church since 1999, was given a fond farewell as she moved on to her new assignment at a church in Fresno. The event, organized by her congregation and the...

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved the $1.1 billion proposed budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, including a $731 million General Fund. While the county’s financial outlook takes into account slowing revenue growth, it funds community priorities such as the...

A man was killed in Boulder Creek after a tree crashed into his home, as winds pounded Santa Cruz County after several heavy rainstorms on Sunday. Santa Cruz County Sheriff's spokeswoman Ashley Keehn identified the man as as 45-year-old Robert Brainard III. Deputies and firefighters responded...

Special events 8th Annual Calamari Dinner (Feb. 15) The Sons and Daughters of Italy will host the 8th Annual Calamari Dinner at the Watsonville Woman’s Club. Proceeds will go toward Andrew Malatesta Agricultural Scholarship. The menu includes deep-fried calamari fillets and pesto pasta with salad. There...

WATSONVILLE—At least 300 people participated in a peaceful protest calling for the end of racial and systemic injustice on Saturday in Watsonville. The protest is part of a nationwide movement sparked by the death of George Floyd on May 25. The group first gathered at the...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville police arrested a 19-year-old man for allegedly shooting and killing a man who officers say was his “friend” on Jan. 7. Ricardo Garcia was taken into custody on the 1400 block of Freedom Boulevard on Feb. 12. Watsonville Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said...

The 47-year-old man suspected of killing two people and injuring others early in the morning on Nov. 21 at a Pajaro bar was possibly acting in self-defense and may not face murder charges, the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday. Sergio Ramos Carranza turned...

SANTA CRUZ—Santa Cruz Police and school officials believe that a threat of a shooting at Santa Cruz High School is false, and there have been no reports of anyone injured. SCPD Chief Bernie Escalante said at an early Wednesday afternoon press conference that a call...

A Watsonville man already facing murder charges – and who has twice been charged with operating an illegal marijuana dispensary out of his Watsonville home – appeared in court Monday, where a judge refused a prosecutor’s request to increase his $100,000 bail.

WATSONVILLE—On March 30, the Watsonville Municipal Airport (KWVI) announced it had renewed a two-year lease with Watsonville-based Urban Organics, aiming to bring fresh produce to the community as the sole organic farm within city limits. At the southernmost tip of airport property, just over the...