Humpback whale mural complete
WATSONVILLE—A new 50-by-54-foot colorful outdoor mural of a humpback whale was recently completed at Marinovich Community Center on Second Street.
Painted on the blacktop of the basketball court, work began on Oct. 25 by Watsonville artists Augie WK and Jessica Carmen.
“Once we were done and...
Bridge Street homeless camp cleared out
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Public Works employees teamed up with Watsonville police and fire departments Tuesday to dismantle a camp that homeless advocates set up on Dec. 12 in a city-owned parking lot adjacent to the Buddhist Temple on Bridge Street.
With signage posted about the small encampment...
Family of Aptos High stabbing victim files claim against PVUSD
APTOS—The family of the 17-year-old boy who was stabbed to death on the Aptos High School campus in August has filed a claim against Pajaro Valley Unified School District, alleging that the district was negligent in ending the School Resource Officer (SRO) program, and...
Robert Gómez selected as Watsonville’s first poet laureate
WATSONVILLE—For the first time ever, the city of Watsonville has its very own poet laureate. Longtime resident Robert Gómez will for the next two years be working to advance the literary arts throughout the Pajaro Valley.
A poet laureate is appointed by a government or...
County’s Capital Improvement Plan includes upgrades for Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—In early December, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved next year’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), a 188-page list of projects the county hopes to complete or move forward on over the next five years.
The $966 million plan includes upgrades to various...
Animal shelters deal with influx of rabbits, ‘pocket pets’
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Animal shelters across California are currently seeing an influx of rabbits and other “pocket pets” being surrendered and put up for adoption.
Erika Smart, program and development manager at Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter (SCCAS), says that the increase in rabbits, guinea pigs,...
Man recently arrested for robbery placed bombs around city in 2001
WATSONVILLE—The man who was arrested on Dec. 22 on suspicion of robbing the Freedom Centre Rite Aid store in Watsonville at gunpoint 24-hours earlier has a lengthy history with local police.
Raymond Quiñonez, in late 2001, was arrested after making a string of bomb threats...
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...
Man, woman found dead in apparent murder-suicide, police say
WATSONVILLE—A man and woman were found dead in a home in Pajaro Village on Christmas Eve in what police believe to be a murder-suicide.
Watsonville Police Department Sgt. Mike Ridgway said officers were led to the man and woman by a relative.
The Santa Cruz County...
Good Sole: Mountain View High student gifts Watsonville kids new shoes
WATSONVILLE—The entire kindergarten class of Starlight Elementary School will be sporting new sneakers come the start of the New Year, thanks to the efforts of a high school student at Mountain View High School.
Bridget Stuebner said she learned of a previous shoe give-away from...
CAO Carlos Palacios Resigns After 30 Years
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors announced that County Executive Officer Carlos J. Palacios will step down in December after more than 30 years in local government leadership
