Tushar Atre murder suspects delay arraignment
SANTA CRUZ—Defense attorneys came forward in the Superior Court of Paul Marigonda Tuesday to represent the four suspects in the Oct. 1 kidnapping and murder of tech executive and Pleasure Point resident Tushar Atre.
Stephen Lindsay, 22, Kaleb Charters, 19, Kurtis Charters, 22, and Joshua...
Local Girl Scouts forge ahead during pandemic
WATSONVILLE—On Wednesday the Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast (GSCCC) announced that it is extending its Cookie Program until April 18, and will reopen some traditional troop cookie booths across the region.
The news comes as much of the state moves from the purple tier...
A piece of history | Photo Gallery
Do you have a recent photo you’d like to share? Send it to us for consideration by emailing it to [email protected] or mailing it to 21 Brennan St., Suite 14, Watsonville, CA 95076. Please include a brief description of the photo as well as...
Restaurants, markets open for community | About Town
Johanna Miller
A lot has happened since I last wrote for About Town. The global COVID-19 crisis is unlike anything most of us have experienced. While I’m grateful that my friends and family are safe and healthy, I cannot help but worry every day.
My job...
Historic Aptos building faces uncertain future after Sunday night fire
RIO DEL MAR—A fire that apparently started in a pile of rubble in an alleyway behind the SeaBreeze Tavern late Sunday night has destroyed the building, bringing to a close a story that began when it was built 92 years ago in what was...
Second Harvest’s Holiday Food & Fund Drive exceeds goal
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—On Tuesday Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County (SCFB) announced that its annual Holiday Food & Fund Drive (HFFD) raised the equivalent of 5.5 million meals—more than 1 million beyond its original goal.
Prior to the pandemic HFFD co-chairs Megan Martinelli and...
Watsonville’s library director closing the book on 48-year career
WATSONVILLE—Carol Heitzig said that she doesn't like to travel.
“I’ve barely been out of the state,” Heitzig said.
But for the past 48 years, she has helped old, young and everyone in between see the world, travel through time and explore the universe as an unsung...
PG&E pleads guilty to 84 counts of manslaughter in Camp Fire case
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) on Tuesday pleaded guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of unlawfully starting a fire.
The rare acknowledgment of corporate culpability brought to an end two-years of litigation that stemmed from the Nov. 8, 2018 blaze,...
District hinges raise on student attendance
WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley Unified School District teachers are questioning a contract proposal by district officials that hinges a 1 percent salary increase on raising attendance rates to 97 percent.
Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers President Nelly Vaquera-Boggs called that requirement unrealistic.
“They are asking us to control...
Farmer survey aims for complete picture of climate change’s impact on agriculture
WATSONVILLE—Two years ago Regeneracíon-Pajaro Valley Climate Action gathered data on the impact climate change has had on agricultural workers and the Pajaro Valley community at large.
Now, the nonprofit is trying to form a more complete representation of the agriculture-rich region.
Regeneracíon is asking farmers in...
Bag containing gun, ammo found at Aptos High
Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies and Pajaro Valley Unified School District officials are investigating after a bag containing a firearm and ammunition was found...
