METRO offers employment incentives to address staffing ‘crisis’
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) has introduced a number of new incentives aimed at attracting qualified bus operators to address an “unprecedented crisis in staffing levels” in public transportation.
Thanks to a recent contract extension between METRO and the three unions...
Wargin Wines introduces new Hopped Greco
Wargin Wines’ Assistant Winemaker Brenton Jones says he is ready to shake up the wine industry.
“When I look at the industry as a whole… it’s pretty set in its ways,” Jones says. “It gets stuck in a box—especially when you look at what breweries...
Watsonville man sentenced to 104 years in prison for trafficking Gilroy woman
By Michael Moore, Morgan Hill Times Editor
A Watsonville man was sentenced to 104 years in prison Tuesday after being convicted of pimping, trafficking and abusing a Gilroy woman over several years, according to authorities.
Andre William Furtado, 33, was convicted by a jury in Santa...
PHOTO: Supporting Jacob's Heart
The American Legion Riders Chapter 69 provided Santa Claus with a motorcycle and sled escort to Jacob's Heart Children's Cancer Support Services' Christmas Party on Dec. 9.
President Biden flies into Watsonville to tour county storm damage
WATSONVILLE—President Joe Biden touched down at Watsonville Municipal Airport on Thursday, a visit that followed his emergency declaration on Jan. 9, which allows businesses and residents that suffered damage and loss in the recent spate of storms to receive federal aid.
After touring Capitola Village...
Pajaro Valley Pride returns Sunday
For the past four years, local non-profit organization Pajaro Valley Pride has held its very own celebration and march in downtown Watsonville, aiming to bring awareness to and support the LGBT+ community of South County.
3.4 magnitude earthquake shakes Pajaro Valley
A 3.4 magnitude earthquake centered near Watsonville shook the Pajaro Valley Tuesday morning.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the temblor struck at 10:38am about three miles from Interlaken, northeast of Watsonville.
It could reportedly be felt throughout Watsonville and in North Monterey County and...
State gives Central Coast counties green light to open dine-in restaurants, barbershops
WATSONVILLE—The California Department of Public Health approved Covid-19 County Variance Attestation forms for both Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, the counties announced Saturday morning.
The acceptance will allow the neighboring counties to advance further into Stage 2 of the state's so-called resilience roadmap.
Restaurants can now...
Local artist seeks new home for community safety mural
In late July of 2019, a large, four-panel mural by Peter Bartczak of Clown Bank Studios was hoisted up onto the side of the old Watsonville City Hall.
The mural depicted a family of ducks, carefully crossing a street in a crosswalk in front of...
County unveils “transformative” youth crisis center
For years, Santa Cruz County lacked a youth crisis center, meaning that young people experiencing a mental health crisis were taken to overloaded emergency...