News

Tarmo Hannula I stopped by Coffeeville in the East Lake Village Shopping Center this morning and was relieved to see them running daily hours. Now they’re making clever use of their Dutch door, which enables them to offer walk-up window service. Their barista Aliyah Piñon...

WATSONVILLE—A group of students at MacQuiddy Elementary School got a special holiday treat last week.  Thanks to the efforts of instructor Amy McGee and others, 15 kids—all members of Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s Safe Spots program—were handed an armload of gifts Friday, including a...

When the 2026-27 school year begins in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, all 17 elementary schools will be without assistant principals. The positions, also referred to as academic coordinators, play an essential role at elementary schools, often handling behavioral issues and other student-centered concerns,...

The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County has opened the nomination period for the 15th Annual Be the Difference Awards. The awards honor the individuals, groups, nonprofits and businesses that transform Santa Cruz County through volunteerism. People can share their stories of inspiration by nominating...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a temporary moratorium on evictions in the unincorporated parts of the county through Sept. 30. The board also unanimously approved a plan to restrict beach access during the upcoming Labor Day weekend...

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....

HIT & RUN Emergency workers deal with a three-vehicle crash early Monday on Riverside Drive in Watsonville. Initial reports revealed that a driver of a light-colored Toyota sedan barreled into the intersection of Riverside Drive at Marchant Street just before 5am. The Toyota slammed...

WATSONVILLE—A new large mosaic now graces the second floor of the main branch of the Watsonville Public Library. Created by Watsonville artist Kathleen Crocetti, the 10-by-12 work incorporates elements of the original library logo, the Pajaro Valley and the nearby coast. “It’s based on an aerial...

Adam Scow stood on the edge of a strawberry farm behind Pajaro Middle School Monday morning as he held a map showing similar fields adjacent to nine schools throughout the Pajaro Valley. Scow heads up the nonprofit group Campaign for Organic and Regenerative Agriculture (CORA)....

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) Board of Directors at its May 21 virtual meeting unanimously approved a contract extension with CEO and General Manager Alex Clifford that will keep him at the head of the transportation agency through May 6,...