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Watsonville
April 18, 2026

Foundation taking eighth-graders to ‘Hamilton’

The Monterey-based Dan & Lillian King Foundation recently announced that every eighth-grade student in the County — nearly 9,000 students — will attend “Hamilton,” the Tony Award-winning hit playing at the SHN Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco.

Ambriz, Alaniz served country with honor

WATSONVILLE—When a former member of the military dies, the Freedom Veterans of Foreign War Post 1716 Honor Guard is there to honor them with a rifle salute of three ceremonial volleys. The service similar to the 21-gun salute is a military-style way to honor veterans...

WPD Chief Brian Shab talks staffing, technology in policing

Watsonville Police Chief Brian Shab
When Watsonville Police Chief Brian Shab took the helm of the department early this year, he saw a problem that is plaguing law enforcement agencies across the country: recruiting and retaining officers. In a department authorized to employ 71 officers, the Watsonville Police Department has...

SC police seeking vandal-arsonist

Santa Cruz Police are looking for man thought to be responsible for setting two fires and vandalizing a building at the Tannery Arts Complex in August.

Leaders honored in annual Cesar Chavez Awards

Watsonville Washington bust
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...

County Fairgrounds hosting drive-thru fair food sales

Fair Food Drive Thru Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
WATSONVILLE—Those longing for the return of the Santa Cruz County Fair and the classic foods that the yearly event offers will soon be able to get a small taste of the annual bash and the delicacies that come with it. The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds...

Presidential hopeful Biden makes historic VP pick in Harris

kamala harris
WASHINGTON D.C.—California Sen. Kamala Harris, known for her hardline stance on criminal justice, made history Tuesday when she became both the first Asian American and the first African American woman to become a vice-presidential candidate. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden made the long-anticipated announcement after...

Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance readies to open Watsonville dispensary

Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance
APTOS—A long line of U.S. military veterans was outside an Aptos cannabis dispensary Monday, waiting their turn for a free monthly package of marijuana. Called the Veterans’ Compassion Program, the service is the overarching mission of the Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance (SCVA). Through it, people...

Traffic safety plan around Lakeview Middle School moves forward

holohan road improvement
WATSONVILLE—A plan to improve traffic and pedestrian safety at a notoriously busy intersection on the outskirts of Watsonville took a step forward Wednesday.  The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees unanimously agreed to allow the California Department of Transportation to use a small...

One dies, several injured in multi-vehicle Pajaro crash

PAJARO—One person was killed early Sunday morning when a suspected drunk driver crashed head-on into their vehicle in Pajaro, California Highway Patrol officer Jessica Madueño said. Officers say the suspect, identified as Israel Cruz, 47, was driving east in a Toyota pickup on Hall Road...
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Man shot on Freedom Boulevard Friday night

A man was taken to a trauma center Friday night after he was shot in the head while driving along Freedom Boulevard. According to radio...

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