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Last night I went by Jack’s Burgers in downtown Santa Cruz to grab a bag of take-out burgers and fries. In the line in front of me was a tall fellow fully decked out in a Christmas suit, like nothing I’ve come close to...

Editor's note: This story was updated from a previous version. WATSONVILLE—A fire at an apartment complex on Clifford Avenue late Christmas Eve displaced 20 people and severely damaged four adjoining units, Watsonville Fire Battalion Chief Kirt Vojvoda said. According to Vojvoda, the blaze began at about...

AROMAS—A Watsonville man was arrested Monday after an illegal butane honey oil lab at his residence exploded, seriously injuring a woman. Jason Mendez, 22, was charged with manufacturing a controlled substance, arson and other drug-related charges. He was not in custody at Monterey County Jail...

SACRAMENTO—California Gov. Gavin Newsom named Secretary of State Alex Padilla California’s U.S. Senator to fill the term being vacated by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Padilla will thus become the first Latino U.S. Senator to represent California, Newsom’s office said. “The son of Mexican immigrants—a cook...

WATSONVILLE—A man was arrested on New Year’s Eve after he allegedly stole more than $2,000 worth of equipment from Watsonville High School.  Michael Mortimer, 27, was charged with felony burglary, possession of stolen property, a probation violation and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was already on...

WATSONVILLE—Scheduled clean-ups of the Pajaro River Levee have been postponed indefinitely after homeless advocates raised concerns about displacing people living there, according to Watsonville City Manager Matt Huffaker. Huffaker said a regularly scheduled clean-up of the levee was set for Tuesday and Wednesday. That was...

WATSONVILLE—Starting this month, most employers will be required by law to report workplace Covid-19 outbreaks to county health departments thanks to Assembly Bill 685. Reported outbreaks, defined as three or more cases at one address over a 14-day period, will then be public information published...

SACRAMENTO—California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday submitted his budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year to the State Legislature, a $227.2 billion package that prioritizes vaccines for all Californians, and gives $90 billion to K-14 education. Newsom says that the state now has a $15 billion...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville police are investigating the second deadly shooting in three days, after a 19-year-old died of a gunshot wound Saturday night near the Pajaro River levee.  Watsonville police around 7pm responded to the dead end of Walker Street near the levee after a caller...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Brillante, the ongoing community mosaic project spearheaded by Community Arts Empowerment (CAE), has extended its deadline for art submissions to Feb. 10. Organizers are looking for local artists’ work to be featured on the six-story parking garage on Rodriguez Street, which is attached...