News

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—In a 6-6 vote, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) on Thursday narrowly rejected a business plan for the design, construction and operation of a passenger rail line along the 32-mile stretch from Davenport to Pajaro, which could mean, at...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Chief of Police David Honda will retire in July after serving five years as the city’s highest-ranking law enforcement official, he announced Thursday morning. In a statement through the department’s social media, Honda said his time with Watsonville Police Department was a “privilege and...

WATSONVILLE—Since 1983, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services (PVSS) has aimed to address the needs of women and children affected by homelessness in the greater Watsonville area. Founded by Sister Susan Olson and Sister Marie Veronica through Catholic Charities, the organization eventually broke off and became...

WATSONVILLE—In early February of 2020, the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture held its Annual Awards Dinner. It was one of the last major events in South County before the pandemic shut things down six weeks later. The dinner returns this year on July...

WATSONVILLE—Heavily armed police from multiple agencies moved in on a home on the 600 block of Madison Street Thursday and took a man into custody on suspicion of attempted homicide. Watsonville Police Department spokesperson Michelle Pulido said Emmanuel Plascencia, 28, was arrested without incident. Pulido said...

WATSONVILLE—A 55-year-old man was allegedly killed late Tuesday by his 38-year-old brother on the 100 block of Delaney Avenue in the outskirts of Watsonville.  Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Ashley Keehn said detectives believe Seledonio Diaz, of Watsonville, killed his brother Francisco Diaz. Detectives tracked...

Staff of Life natural food store opened its second location Tuesday, a little more than two years after announcing it would make the move to the East Lake Village Shopping Center in Watsonville. Dozens of local leaders showed to the ribbon cutting ceremony Monday,...

WATSONVILLE—The Friends of Watsonville Parks and Community Services on Tuesday honored seven individuals, two organizations and a school at the 19th annual Cesar Chavez Awards. The event was held virtually and featured appearances from Watsonville Mayor Jimmy Dutra and State Assemblymember Robert Rivas, the representative...

On Friday, as part of the monthly First Friday Art Tour around Santa Cruz County, Arte del Corazón will return as "Easter Mercado Artesanal" in Romo Park, across Main Street from the City Plaza. Organizer Monica Galvan said the event, which coincides with the...

Watsonville Fire Capt. Rick Pettigrew (left) assists his crew in knocking down a wild land fire Tuesday that broke out in the Watsonville Slough brush-lands near the corner of Main Street at Ohlone Parkway. Firefighters tackled the 3pm blaze within 20 minutes after multiple...