Consultant recommends Watsonville hike utilities costs over next five years
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council at its March 9 meeting will see the results of a recently conducted rate study that recommends the city increase the cost of its utilities over the next five years.
The study, conducted by Raftelis Financial Inc., says the hikes are...
Several fires force mass evacuations, char thousands of acres in Santa Cruz mountains
UPDATE (Aug. 21, 6:33am)
Firefighters and law enforcement officers were pulled away for three separate rescue incidents to save residents who were trying to protect their homes from the CZU August Lightning Complex fires, which have now charred 50,000 acres, or roughly 78 square miles,...
Annual fundraising exhibit returns to Pajaro Valley Gallery
The Pajaro Valley Gallery will be celebrating the opening of “Take Aways: Art to Go!” this weekend, with an opening reception on Sunday from 2-4 p.m.
Andy Vargas to host music and comedy benefit Saturday
By WALLACE BAINE
Talk about a quintessential Bay Area cultural experience. With images spanning his entire half-century career projected behind him, rock god Carlos Santana led his band in the final show of its 2019 world tour on stage at the gleaming new Chase Center,...
Mountain lion seen on Main Street
Watsonville police warned Wednesday that a mountain lion was seen behind 1075 Main Street heading toward Harkins Slough Road.
The department said that residents should remain alert, especially when walking in open or rural areas. Animal control and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife...
Photo story: Teen arrested for bringing gun to school
Watsonville Police set up on White Street in Watsonville Thursday just after 11am where they tracked down a 17-year-old male who ran from them while armed with a handgun. Police were initially alerted about a person on the Watsonville High campus before 11am who...
Watsonville appoints new homegrown library director
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville City Manager Matt Huffaker announced last week that he appointed Alicia Martinez as the new director of the Watsonville Public Library. She succeeds longtime director Carol Heitzig, who retired in July 2020.
Martinez worked her way up the ranks at the library. She started...
Supervisors approve eviction moratorium, Labor Day beach restrictions
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a temporary moratorium on evictions in the unincorporated parts of the county through Sept. 30.
The board also unanimously approved a plan to restrict beach access during the upcoming Labor Day weekend...
PVA to host art and history conference
WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley Arts (PVA) will host a one-day conference on July 9 centered around the figure Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Attendees will explore the historic and cultural impact of the figure through readings, discussions and workshops.
Speakers include Seattle University professor Jeanette Rodriguez, who will discuss...
Monterey Bay Aquarium honors Watsonville teacher
Amesti Elementary School teacher Rachel Hitchcock was bestowed a special award by the Monterey Bay Aquarium for her efforts in education.
New leadership, shared priorities: Investing in the future of public safety
As we begin a new year, I want to reflect on the direction of public safety in Watsonville and the leadership helping guide that...























