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...
Watsonville hospital sale nears completion
WATSONVILLE—The local nonprofit created to purchase and run Watsonville Community Hospital has won its bid to buy the hospital’s operations, a move that canceled a planned auction and advanced the matter to a sale hearing on Wednesday.
According to documents filed with the Northern District...
Cabrillo plans to begin in-person classes Tuesday
APTOS—Cabrillo College’s students will return to in-person instruction, about one month after beginning the spring semester with a distance learning model.
Cabrillo President and Superintendent Matt Wetstein said the decision comes as the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 declines and as the Omicron...
County pilot program aims for unified approach to homelessness
SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a project designed to integrate clinical, mental health and housing services to help the county’s population of homeless people with mental illness and substance use disorders
The Mental Health Services Act Innovation Plan is...
Thousands march for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Thousands of people amassed in the streets of downtown Santa Cruz on Monday morning for the annual People’s March for the Dream, an event...




















