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Watsonville
February 28, 2026

Health providers sound alarm on OBBBA

A group of state lawmakers and local medical providers gathered Tuesday at the Santa Cruz Community Health Center in Live Oak to sound the alarm on President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA). Despite its name, the bill will remove millions of people...

Driscoll’s brings new children’s book to local schools

radcliff elementary school
Dozens of Radcliff Elementary School students on Monday got a dual surprise: a berry feast from Driscoll’s, along with a free children’s book recently produced by the Watsonville-based company. The book—“A Sofia Special”—tells the story of a young girl whose bad day at school improves...

Local young inventors get state recognition

WATSONVILLE—A group of young inventors who earned accolades in local and state competitions last year visited the state capital Monday, where they met with lawmakers and showed off their winning creations. The visit to Sacramento was in advance of Kid Inventors Day on Jan. 17....

Hansen downtown apartment complex moves forward

the residence at 558 Main Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Planning Commission at its first meeting of the year Monday recommended the City Council move forward with a mixed-use apartment complex in downtown. If approved, the proposed four-story, 50-unit apartment building at 558 Main St. would be nestled into the historic corridor near...

Black and gold relics| About Town

Tarmo Hannula: I was passing through the office at Watsonville High School the other day and spotted a collection of patches from over the years sitting on a counter. These moments are always a great surprise for me because they’re so packed full of...

Deputies patrol during shelter-in-place | About Town

All trails, parks and beaches in the county remain closed due to COVID-19. A Santa Cruz County Sheriff deputy was keeping watch on a bicycle/pedestrian path in the Santa Cruz Harbor in Live Oak Sunday. • A man and a woman died in a solo-vehicle crash...

PV Shelter Services tackles growing community need

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services Mother's Day Run & Walk
WATSONVILLE—Since 1983, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services (PVSS) has aimed to address the needs of women and children affected by homelessness in the greater Watsonville area. Founded by Sister Susan Olson and Sister Marie Veronica through Catholic Charities, the organization eventually broke off and became...

Arts Now working with districts to spark students’ creativity

WATSONVILLE—As lunchtime drew to a close Wednesday, fourth- and fifth-grade students at Starlight Elementary School began to gradually filter into the classroom of art teacher Meredith Branan Freeman. They were there to learn about stop-motion animation and create their own movies. Some students worked individually,...

Learning for all

Board members voted unanimously to reclassify longtime PVUSD employee Alejandra Rocha’s position within the VI Program as Alternative Media Specialist.

Arrest uncovers drugs, cash, fireworks in Aptos

drugs guns arrest watsonville police
Behind-the-scenes work by a Watsonville Police detective led to the arrest of a convicted felon who now faces several charges.  The suspect, 37-year-old Oscar Madriz, was arrested after the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team (SCCACT) served a search warrant at his home on the 100...
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Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools Faris Sabbah addresses about 150 high school students at the start of the Santa Cruz Countuy Youth Civics Summit at Cabrillo College.

Students learn the power of the vote at Civics Summit

On Friday, about 150 high school juniors from across Santa Cruz County cast their first ballots on three issues that, if passed, would dramatically...