Supervisors approve independent auditor for Sheriff’s Office
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a plan to hire an independent auditor for the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office who would investigate such issues as citizen complaints and use of force.
The move followed a report by...
Two arrested in bizarre Watsonville carjacking
WATSONVILLE—Two people, including a 17-year-old girl, are behind bars after plotting an armed carjacking and leading multiple law enforcement agencies on car chases.
City of Watsonville spokesperson Michelle Pulido said the crime spree came to an end when the teen girl crashed a stolen black...
Quiroz-Carter sworn in as new Watsonville City Councilwoman
WATSONVILLE—Vanessa Quiroz-Carter was sworn in as the new representative for the Watsonville City Council's 2nd District at Tuesday night’s virtual meeting.
Quiroz-Carter, a Watsonville native who most recently served on the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission, said she was excited to continue the work of...
Riverside Road homeless camp dismantled
WATSONVILLE—Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office deputies dismantled a homeless encampment on Riverside Road set up by a group that last month battled with the city of Watsonville over another camp on Bridge Street.
Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Ashley Keehn said that the department posted a 72-hour...
Cabrillo Gallery explores natural habitats in first exhibit of 2022
APTOS—Last fall, Cabrillo Gallery opened its doors to the public for the first time in 17 months. The annual “12x12: An Open Invitational” exhibit was a return to in-person viewing after a string of virtual shows.
But with the Omicron variant of Covid-19 surging and...
Homegrown officer takes over as Watsonville Police Chief
WATSONVILLE—Some 80 people gathered in the Watsonville Civic Plaza Monday evening to welcome in Jorge Zamora as Watsonville Police Department’s new chief.
A homegrown officer who started with the department as a cadet at the age of 15, Zamora said in a speech before being...
Plans for organic farm at Watsonville Airport nixed
WATSONVILLE—Plans by a local grower to transform a small plot of land owned by Watsonville Municipal Airport into an organic farm have come to an abrupt end.
Adrian Mondragon, who owns Urban Organics, says he was evicted from the property in September after he and...
PHOTO: Car rolls into ditch in Watsonville
North Monterey County firefighters search for possible victims in a solo vehicle rollover crash Monday on Trafton Road in Watsonville.
Lt. Carlos Gonzalez with North Monterey County Fire said no one was found inside the Honda Civic that ended up in a drainage ditch around...
Santa Cruz County schools distribute thousands of rapid Covid-19 tests
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—School districts throughout Santa Cruz County have passed out some 80,000 rapid-result Covid-19 test kits to families, as kids return to in-person instruction from winter break and officials try to prevent a surge via school campuses.
As of Tuesday, officials have reported a...
Main Street project goes skyward
WATSONVILLE—Work continues on a new business complex on the 900 block of Main Street at Auto Center Drive in Watsonville.
Santa Cruz Seaside Company spokesperson Kris Reyes said the three-building project includes two restaurants, Chipotle Mexican Grill and The Habit Burger Grill. Reyes has also...
Male Athlete of the Year: St. Francis’ Nash Horton dominates after...
St. Francis graduate Nash Horton suffered a devastating and potential career-ending injury after he tore his right shoulder labrum at the beginning of the...
