Pajaro River levee breaches; evacuations underway in flooded town
An estimated 100-foot-wide breach in the Pajaro River Levee has sent floodwaters into the community of Pajaro, forcing the evacuation of roughly 1,700 residents and causing untold damage to the homes, businesses and farm fields in the rural, agricultural community.
On Friday crews were working...
Arts organizations join forces for Juneteenth multimedia project
In celebration of Juneteenth, local arts organizations will come together for Murals / Art / Activism, a multimedia project highlighting the importance of public art in activism.
Juneteenth is the oldest national celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. The holiday has seen...
Man badly hurt in car fire
A man suffered serious burns early Tuesday morning when the car he was in caught fire while parked between 17 Gardner Ave. and Auto Zone on Freedom Boulevard.
Watsonville Film Festival to be held at youth center
The Watsonville Film Festival (WFF) returns to present a lineup of screenings by award-winning directors and young local filmmakers, as well as live music and film talks by experts in the industry.
Watsonville farm, biotech company receives major grant from USDA
Since 2009, Blume Industries (BI) and Whiskey Hill Farms (WHF) have jointly operated a research and development incubator in Watsonville, aiming to find regenerative solutions for food, fuel and waste management.
And now they will have the opportunity to expand their reach, sharing what they...
K9 officer helps find loaded handgun; man arrested
A man was arrested late last month on multiple felony charges after he ditched a loaded gun and ran from Capitola Police.
The incident began when Capitola Police conducted a traffic stop for vehicle code violations near the Capitola Mall. As the stop began, a...
Watsonville’s downtown plan includes ‘road diet,’ around 4,000 new homes
WATSONVILLE—The addition of around 4,000 new housing units over the course of 25 years. Two-way traffic on Lake and Beach streets. A completely reimagined industrial district on Walker Street. A network of pedestrian “paseos” that provides safe walking paths. The reduction of one lane...
Parks Commission to weigh Washington statue’s future
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Parks and Recreation Commission at its Monday virtual meeting is expected to make a recommendation to the City Council on the future of the George Washington bust in the City Plaza.
City staff, according to the prepared staff report, is recommending the bust...
Watsonville’s Portuguese community celebrates sister city designation
WATSONVILLE—Situated along the western coast of São Jorge Island in Portugal is Velas, a historic port town with a population of just over 5,580 people. Located in the Azores, the city is one of the oldest settlements on the island, boasting incredible ocean views...
Incarcerated people, attorneys navigating state’s new resentencing laws
CALIFORNIA—Vincent Marquez will be the first to say he has not led a perfect life.
He is in Soledad State Prison for a 2008 burglary conviction, serving sentences totaling more than four decades that could keep the 65-year-old incarcerated until 2041.
But he hopes to change...
PVUSD trustees cut school employee, teacher positions
After the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees late Thursday night made sweeping cuts to 78 classified positions, newly appointed Board President...
