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Watsonville
February 4, 2026

Sheriff Hart announces retirement

Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart announced his retirement Wednesday, a move that will cap a 36-year career with the department when he steps down Dec. 6. He has endorsed Undersheriff Chris Clark to succeed him. Hart, who is serving his third term, says his decision...

What's going on? | Aug. 24-30

Weekly calendar of events.

Watsonville Vaccine Center set to close Sunday

santa cruz county vaccines
The Watsonville Vaccine Center at old City Hall in downtown Watsonville will close on March 27. Thanks to the combined effort from the City of Watsonville, Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, Community Action Board and Community Bridges, the Watsonville Vaccine Center administered more than...

Chef to host benefit dinner for PV Loaves & Fishes

Chef Jesse Plasencia, executive chef of The Pacheco Club in Monterey, and past board member of Pajaro Valley Loaves & Fishes, will host a pop-up dinner to benefit the nonprofit food pantry and kitchen at El Alteño Restaurant, 323 Main St. in Watsonville,

PHOTOS: Big rig flips over on Highway 152

highway 152 hecker pass big rig flip
A big rig loaded with office supplies flipped over on a tight turn on Highway 152 (Hecker Pass) Thursday afternoon, dumping its load down a steep ravine. The California Highway Patrol said there were only minor injuries in the 3:15pm incident that forced them...

Woman’s Club reaches 125th year

Preparations are underway for the 125th anniversary celebration of the Watsonville Woman’s Club. Woman’s Club President Gina Gallucci said the Aug. 29 free event will be the centerpiece of a mixer hosted by the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. The organization was founded in...

Photo: Slough fire quickly quelled

Watsonville Fire Capt. Rick Pettigrew (left) assists his crew in knocking down a wild land fire Tuesday that broke out in the Watsonville Slough brush-lands near the corner of Main Street at Ohlone Parkway. Firefighters tackled the 3pm blaze within 20 minutes after multiple...

Man arrested for string of violent incidents

A Hollister man was arrested Aug. 19 after months of investigation into a series of violent incidents earlier this year. Enrique Fuentes, 37, was charged with shooting into an occupied residence and gang enhancements. He was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail without bail, jail...

15-year-old killed in double stabbing on Marin Street

Watsonville stabbing
WATSONVILLE—A 15-year-old boy died from stab wounds late Aug. 7 on Marin Street in Watsonville and two teen males have been taken into custody. Watsonville Police Department spokesperson Michelle Pulido said police took a 17-year-old male into custody Monday night on suspicion of homicide.  On Monday...

Watsonville Hospital sale is official

watsonville community hospital
WATSONVILLE—After months of fundraising during which organizers scraped together more than $65 million, Watsonville Community Hospital will become a now publicly owned entity as of midnight on Sept. 1. The Pajaro Valley Health Care District (PVHD) signed the paperwork on Wednesday, making the sale official. State...
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Jim Barsi talks about the sale of Barsi's Liquor Store in 2019.

Jim Barsi—owner of Barsi’s Liquor Store—dies

James Joseph “Jim” Barsi, who ran his eponymous liquor store on East Lake Avenue for a half-century before selling the business and retiring in...