Casa de la Cultura holds annual Christmas giveaway
PAJARO—For more than 30 years, the Casa de la Cultura organization in Pajaro has held its annual Food and Gift Christmas Giveaway, offering families a chance to receive free presents, food, clothing and more during the holiday season.
Sister Rosa Dolores Rodriguez, executive director of...
Council split on city’s deal for Measure U extension, asks for own measure
WATSONVILLE—In a special meeting as unpredictable as it was tense, Watsonville City Council could not come to a consensus on a deal that would have made a minor alteration to a critical ballot measure for the Nov. 8 election.
The elected leaders on Thursday neither...
Supervisors grill AT&T over landline service plan
If the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approves a proposal next month by AT&T to end landline service statewide, people living in rural areas where there are no other viable options will be able to keep their landlines.
That was the message Tuesday to the...
METRO pledges to improve safety
SANTA CRUZ—In an effort to meet public transit safety standards set during the Covid-19 pandemic, officials at Santa Cruz METRO at a Wednesday press conference showcased the safety and precautionary measures they have put in place.
Santa Cruz County Supervisor John Leopold and METRO Board...
Briefs: Annieglass workshop; Filipino American History Month festival
Festival celebrates Filipino American History Month
The Tobera Project will hold its second annual Filipino American History Month festival Saturday at the Watsonville City Plaza from noon to 5pm.
The free event will celebrate and honor Filipino history in the Pajaro Valley since the 1920s. The...
Santa Cruz, Monterey join other counties in recommending return of masks
With more people contracting Covid-19 locally and increased reports of the Delta variant, Monterey, Napa, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties in a joint statement Monday recommend that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks indoors in public places.
This includes places such as grocery...
More than 700 structures destroyed by CZU Complex fire; now 24% contained
SCOTTS VALLEY—The level of containment in the CZU August Lightning Complex fires continues to increase, and so does the number of confirmed destroyed and damaged structures.
The blaze in the Santa Cruz Mountains has destroyed 746 structures and is still threatening more than 13,000 others...
One flower, one day, huge crowds: Corpse flower blooms
SANTA CRUZ—Thousands of curious folks had a one-day window Tuesday to view and smell a blooming corpse flower at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden.
The 4-foot tall flower, sheltered beneath a tent and kept warm with a space heater while being gently...
Watsonville City Manager Rene Mendez leaving
Watsonville City Manager Rene Mendez has been named as the new City Manager for the City of Salinas, just two years after starting his position.
The Salinas City Council on March 19 approved his contract.
He will begin on May 28 and receive a base salary...
New Music Works collaborates with Terry Riley
Santa Cruz ensemble will join forces with acclaimed pianist and vocalist Terry Riley for a performance on Feb. 2.
New leadership, shared priorities: Investing in the future of public safety
As we begin a new year, I want to reflect on the direction of public safety in Watsonville and the leadership helping guide that...
