Indoor masking requirements for Santa Cruz County schools end March 11
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Students throughout Santa Cruz County will no longer be required to wear masks while at school after March 11.
The announcement, signed by the County’s 11 school superintendents, came Monday after California Gov. Gavin Newsom, along with Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and Washington...
Salinas Police officer killed in line of duty
SALINAS—A Salinas Police Department officer was shot and killed on Feb. 25 during a traffic stop, and a suspect has been arrested.
Salinas Chief of Police Roberto Filice said that around 10:45pm Officer Jorge David Alvarado, Jr. made a traffic stop on Griffin Street at...
Local author pens debut history novel
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Author Buzz Anderson always dreamed of writing the great American novel.
Born in San Jose and then moving with his family to Capitola, Anderson has remained in Santa Cruz County for most of his life, attending local public schools, Cabrillo College and UC...
Photo: Kids test their engineering, science skills in annual egg drop
Belle Espinoza, 10, shows an egg that withstood a four-story drop to the ground Wednesday with her homemade contraption alongside Darren Gertler, Environmental Education Coordinator.
Thirty-two youths took part in the 19th annual Egg Drop competition as part of Engineer’s Week in downtown Watsonville....
Watsonville Community Band celebrates 75th anniversary
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Community Band kicked off its yearlong 75th Anniversary celebration Wednesday during a break in its regular rehearsal in the band room at Watsonville High School.
The date coincided with the very first rehearsal of what was then called Watsonville Sciots Band in 1947.
“We’re...
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...
Students learn the power of the vote at Civics Summit
On Friday, about 150 high school juniors from across Santa Cruz County cast their first ballots on three issues that, if passed, would dramatically...
