News

In the next 90 days the National 9 Motel at 1 Western Drive will be demolished to make way for a four-story, 80-room Hilton Home2 Suites, according to Kamalesh Patel, of Hospitality AARAV, LLC.

WATSONVILLE—A new pilot program to inform residents of hazardous pesticide applications at area farmlands, under the umbrella of the Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, will go into motion in August.  The program was outlined by Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo at a community meeting at...

The Watsonville Strawberry Festival is returning in full force this year, back to a three-day event for the first time since 2019.  The popular event runs this Friday through Sunday and will include food booths, many featuring strawberry-themed treats, as well as a beer garden,...

WATSONVILLE—After months of being shuttered during the countywide response to Covid-19, Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s (SCCAS) Watsonville location has opened once again. The reopening came a few days before the Fourth of July, a holiday known to cause lost pets and disrupted wildlife from...

WATSONVILLE—The special education program at Ohlone Elementary School is facing major changes next year after Pajaro Valley Unified School District shuffled teachers and services at the school. The school currently has three separate programs for its special ed students, the first of which is a...

The Pajaro Valley Historical Association will host their Annual Vintage Picnic July 1 that will showcase World War II.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Gov. Gavin Newsom on May 27 released his revision of the California budget, and through it proposed to eliminate funding for Community Based Adult Services (CBAS) no sooner than July 1. CBAS programs aim to provide seniors alternatives to nursing facilities and other...

The Santa Clara County Medical examiner has reported that the man who shot and killed three people and wounded 12 others at the Gilroy Garlic Festival on July 28 shot himself, contradicting earlier reports that police officers shot him.

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville police are again warning the public to be careful with their credit and debit cards after an investigator found two card skimmers at a gas pump. Credit card skimmers are often installed on gas pumps by criminals to steal account information. They can be...