News

SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors at Friday’s emergency meeting voted unanimously to approve a Stage 2 variance application under the state’s so-called Resilience Roadmap which would allow local restaurants and barbershops/hair salons to begin expanded services. If approved by the state, the...

Dozens of law enforcement and emergency first responders gathered in the Watsonville City Council Chambers Wednesday for a promotional and award ceremony honoring Watsonville police and employees, and a county prosecutor. “The nature of our work requires us to be efficient, moving from call to...

Watsonville firefighters and police secure a school bus that tore our utility lines in front of MacQuiddy Elementary School in Watsonville Thursday. About eight young students were aboard the bus when the incident occurred around 2:30pm. Police shut down surrounding streets while firefighters freed...

These young women wear traditional garb from Oaxaca, Mexico as they prepare to dance at the Cinco de Mayo celebration in Watsonville Plaza Friday. Co-presented by the Farmers’ Market, Poesía en la Plaza and Ballet Folklorico Ollin, the event featured music, poets, dancers and...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville police arrested a 19-year-old man for allegedly shooting and killing a man who officers say was his “friend” on Jan. 7. Ricardo Garcia was taken into custody on the 1400 block of Freedom Boulevard on Feb. 12. Watsonville Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said...

WATSONVILLE—The National Association of Counties (NACo) recently renewed its call to have the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers change how it distributes its flood control funding. Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend, a NACo board member, says that, too often, funding decisions for federal flood...

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council at its Tuesday meeting will weigh whether to overhaul its tax rates on cannabis businesses, a move a consultant and city staff say would make the city more competitive with neighboring jurisdictions. The proposed changes would cut taxes on retail cannabis...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Starting this week, Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel will begin requiring customers and staff at essential businesses such as grocery stores to wear face coverings to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.  The order will follow requirements in place throughout...

Watsonville Police investigate a four-vehicle crash on South Green Valley Road Tuesday morning. Michelle Pulido, spokeswoman for Watsonville Police, said an unlicensed teen male was traveling southbound on Green Valley in a Ford F350 pickup around 10:30am when he plowed into a Ford F150...