County sees decline in cannabis tax revenues
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County is seeing a decline in its cannabis industry, with tax revenues falling far short of projections for the 2021-22 fiscal year.
County officials say that current revenues of $1.68 million are lagging behind projections by more than $1 million, and...
Traffic safety plan around Lakeview Middle School moves forward
WATSONVILLE—A plan to improve traffic and pedestrian safety at a notoriously busy intersection on the outskirts of Watsonville took a step forward Wednesday.
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees unanimously agreed to allow the California Department of Transportation to use a small...
Mello named county’s Realtor of the Year
PAJARO VALLEY—Long-standing realtor Renee Mello was recently named Realtor of the Year for 2021 by the Santa Cruz County Association of Realtors.
A broker associate with Keller Williams, Mello, a third-generation Watsonville native, said she was stunned and “truly honored” to have been picked out...
Police: Five arrested in anti-gang operations
The Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team (SCCACT) over the last few days arrested five men who they say are affiliated with gangs, seizing nearly a half-dozen weapons as well as several drugs the arrestees were planning to sell.
The most recent arrest occurred following a...
Inflation strikes Watsonville’s budget
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council unanimously approved the use of roughly $2.5 million to offset increased budgetary demands in various departments and special funds, some of which city staff says are fueled by surging inflation on everyday goods.
The largest budget allocation approved by the elected...
Local metalwork artist forges ahead
Pierre Riche’s artistic journey has been anything but dull.
Born in New York City in 1966, Riche has lived in nine different U.S. states, moving more than 14 times and exploring various pathways.
He studied at the School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago, lived in...
Ella’s at the Airport owner granted lease transfer
WATSONVILLE—Ella’s at the Airport will indeed change hands after the City of Watsonville and owner/operator Ella King came to an agreement on a five-year lease that is set to be transferred to new owner/operator Chielo Apac.
The Watsonville City Council approved the lease and transfer...
Judge approves sale of Watsonville Hospital to health care district
WATSONVILLE—A federal judge on Wednesday approved the sale of Watsonville Community Hospital to the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District (PVHD), ending the chapter of a story in which the facility was at imminent risk of closure, and beginning another of local ownership.
Judge Elaine Hammond of...
8 injured in 3-vehicle crash
WATSONVILLE—Eight people were injured in a three-vehicle collision near the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Sunday afternoon.
California Highway Patrol officer Alyssa Gutierrez said that around 4:15pm the driver of a 2021 Porsche Cayenne was traveling eastbound on Highway 152 near Holohan Road. For unknown reasons,...
Soquel man dies in solo-vehicle crash
APTOS—A Soquel man died in a solo-vehicle crash early Saturday morning, California Highway Patrol officer Alyssa Gutierrez said.
Just before 1am Carlos Deleon, 42, was traveling west on Soquel Drive in a 2005 Pontiac G6. For unknown reasons, Deleon lost control and smashed into a...
Police seeking 12-year-old couple on lam
Watsonville police Saturday were looking for a 12-year-old girl who took her mothers car and went on the run with her 12-year-old boyfriend, and...
