News

WATSONVILLE—California Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) has announced the launch of a new business center in Watsonville for women entrepreneurs. El Pájaro Women’s Business Center (WBC) will be formed through El Pájaro Community Development Corporation (CDC), a local nonprofit organization aiming to promote equal access...

One major and two minor injuries were reported early Wednesday morning when this Chevy Malibu careened off of San Andreas Road in Watsonville. The California Highway Patrol said the female driver, with two young children, were aboard the Chevy while traveling south near the...

Artwork by more than 130 local artists has filled the walls of the Pajaro Valley Gallery in Watsonville with Pajaro Valley Arts’ first show of the year. “2024, Pajaro Valley Arts: 40 Years of Inspired Expression,” which runs Jan. 17–Feb. 25, spans a wealth of...

The suspected shooter accused of killing a 23-year-old man Aug. 4 turned himself in Wednesday. Officers took the 17-year-old suspect into custody at Watsonville Police Department at 9pm, police spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said.  On Aug. 4, officers responded to the 800 block of McKenzie Avenue, near...

There is now a new way to assemble your own bouquet of roses, thanks to a pick-your-own rose venue at Birdsong Orchards in Watsonville. Owner Nadine Schaeffer said she is growing dozens of varieties of roses on her 8-acre parcel where she also tends to...

WATSONVILLE—In five years brothers Brando and Kristian Sencion predict their new, hip restaurant, Slice Project, will be one of several of-this-generation eateries that will be scattered throughout Watsonville’s downtown. “It’s only a matter of time and we welcome that,” Brando said. “The more good food...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County officials are asking landlords to help alleviate the housing crisis by offering space to people who need permanent housing. County spokesman Jason Hoppin says that a new program, called Rehousing Wave, seeks to help more than 800 people who have...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Anyone who lived in or visited Santa Cruz in 2018-2019 most likely noticed the red electric bicycles being ridden and parked across the city. Santa Cruz had partnered with Jump Bikes, a company providing affordable short-term bike rentals for trips within city...

WATSONVILLE—A massive, long-awaited project that will completely overhaul one of Watsonville’s key arterial roads is set to begin in May. The Freedom-Green Valley Water and Sewer Improvement project and the proceeding Freedom Boulevard Road Reconstruction Project were delayed because of global supply chain issues, the...

ABOVE: Silvia Ignacio is joined by Regina Acosta, 6, and Mateo Acosta, 8, on Carey Street Wednesday during the City of Watsonville Santa Tour. Riding abroad a 1967 Crown fire truck driven by former Watsonville Fire Capt. Matt Ryan, Santa and several leaves and...