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Watsonville
April 11, 2026

Update: Hours-long standoff ends on Kilburn Street

kilburn street watsonville police standoff
WATSONVILLE—A four-and-a-half-hour standoff between police and a man that was possibly armed with guns ended peacefully Tuesday afternoon on Kilburn Street. According to Watsonville Police spokesperson Michelle Pulido, officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Kilburn Street for a report of a man yelling...

Local reopening speeds vary by business

covid-19 reopening watsonville
WATSONVILLE—Minutes after Santa Cruz County received state approval to reopen barbershops and hair salons on May 30, barber Rigo Navarro said he received the first of what would be a flood of calls from his loyal customers asking when he would be open for...

News Briefs

This section is for items of community interest that did not make it into our print edition. To submit a news brief, email [email protected]. Celebrate Piano Ensemble annual benefit Celebrate Piano Ensemble will present their annual benefit concert at Peace United Church of Christ on...

County observes MLK Day

A large bronze sculpture of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stands in the quad of Cabrillo College in Aptos. Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday that marks the birthday (Jan. 15, 1929) of the Nobel Peace Prize winner and champion...

Man shot by police faces murder charges

The man who was shot when he reportedly charged at an officer with a knife after threatening to kill his 3-year-old stepdaughter has been released from the hospital, and booked into Santa Cruz County Jail without bail. Joshua Gonzalez, 25, now faces murder charges for...

Photo: Circus in Watsonville through Nov. 16

The American Crown Circus, Circo Osorio, has set up at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds for a series of shows. From clowns and jugglers to acrobats and magicians, the variety show, designed for people of all ages, will run several times a day through...

Local animal shelters adapt to COVID-19 changes

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—In the first few weeks of the countywide shelter-in-place order, the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter (SCCAS) saw an unprecedented amount of adoptions.  About 126 dogs, cats and rabbits were adopted, including many animals who had been at the shelter for months. “People said...

Adult Ed’s new cosmetology program fills countywide need

Watsonville cosmetology
WATSONVILLE—Since February, a small group of women has been hard at work, learning the detailed world of the beauty industry in Watsonville’s new—and Santa Cruz County’s only—cosmetology program. The new program began with just six students, although Watsonville/Aptos/Santa Cruz Adult Education Director Nancy Bilicich expects...

County still weeks away from opening restaurants for dine-in service

santa cruz county business covid-19
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Though some rural counties are allowing restaurants to open for dine-in service, Santa Cruz County officials are still several days away from giving their restaurateurs the green light. That’s according to county spokesman Jason Hoppin, who on Tuesday said testing and contact tracing...

Cabrillo Board appoints Martha Vega to fill vacant seat

martha vega
WATSONVILLE—The Cabrillo College Board of Trustees on Monday unanimously appointed Martha Vega to fill the Area 5 seat left vacant when Felipe Hernandez was elected to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. “I’m grateful,” she said. “I am humbled and I’m honored and I...
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Aptos duo awarded top honors for stellar play on the pitch...

Aptos High seniors Ivan Zavala and Daniel Lozano each were recognized as two of the top players in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League...