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Watsonville
November 30, 2025

2021 County Fair was best one yet, manager says

County Fair
WATSONVILLE—Although Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Manager Dave Kegebein had not yet sat down and pored over the attendance numbers from the weekend’s County Fair, he was confident in saying Tuesday that this year’s event was “absolutely the best Fair ever.” “Everything went really smoothly and...

Residents, businesses must now recycle food scraps under new law

food scraps
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Recycling is an idea that has become deeply embedded in modern culture, so much so that many don’t think twice before placing cans, bottles and cardboard into the appropriate bins. Beginning this year, a new law will let California residents do the same...

New program offers dental care, hygiene kits to seniors

dientes grey bears
Dozens of volunteers at Grey Bears were busy Thursday morning around two long tables loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables—along with other pantry staples—making packages to be delivered to seniors throughout Santa Cruz County. The large warehouse was filled with laughter and lively chatter more...

5 takeaways from the unprecedented $2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill

COVID-19 relief bill
Almost all Americans will soon receive one-time payments from the federal government thanks to the nearly $2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill approved by Congress on Tuesday night, according to the Associated Press. Details of the unrivaled package are expected to change as leaders continue negotiations...

Sheriff’s Office arrests 2, seize drugs, weapons and cash

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—An Aptos man has been arrested after a Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Team (SET) serving a search warrant found more than 12 pounds of heroin, 1 pound of methamphetamine and a loaded handgun in his residence. The arrest came after...

PHOTO: King tides return

King tides will return Monday and Tuesday.

New art in town

Tarmo Hannula: Christmas Eve 2019. The year is winding down. Last minute shopping, for some, is now moving at the speed of light. Traffic is more hectic. • A series of 14 original paintings by Capitola artist Ed Penniman are now showing at Ella’s at the Airport...

County Fairgrounds sets up shelter for fire evacuees

CZU August Lightning Complex Fire
Note: Reporter Tony Nuñez contributed to this story WATSONVILLE—Thousands of Santa Cruz County residents living in the county’s northern reaches have been ordered to evacuate as the CZU August Lightning Complex fires have spread throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains. Temporary shelters have been set up across...

Watsonville Planning Commission to weigh changes to cannabis laws

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Planning Commission on Tuesday will make recommendations for possible changes to the city’s cannabis ordinance. The Planning Commission’s agenda was not made available before press time, but a public hearing notice published in this newspaper stated the body would be making recommendations on...

Firefighters battling blaze at Monterey Bay Academy near Watsonville

cal fire
LA SELVA BEACH—Firefighters on Saturday night were battling a blaze at the Monterey Bay Academy campus on the outskirts of Watsonville. https://twitter.com/CALFIRECZU/status/1284721308358422530 The fire started around 10:30pm, according to Cal Fire, and was confined to an old movie theater on the private school's campus on 700...
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Man arrested for agriculture-related crimes

A Prunedale man was arrested Nov. 26 on suspicion of a lengthy list of agriculture-related crimes including theft of a tractor. On Oct. 22, deputies...