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Watsonville
February 19, 2026

Carjacking suspect arrested after chase

SANTA CRUZ—Santa Cruz police on Saturday arrested a San Jose man on numerous charges after a chase that led more than 10 miles through the northern reaches of the county. Albert Blanco, 38, was charged with carjacking and felony reckless evading. He was not in...

WPD officer dies following 29-year career

Watsonville police officer Kraig Kliewer
Retired Watsonville Police Officer Kraig Kliewer, who retired in July following a 29-year career, died Tuesday. “It is with a heavy heart that we inform you about the passing of retired Watsonville Police Officer Kraig Kliewer,” said Michelle Pulido, spokeswoman for WPD. “He passed away...

WPD: Post Incident Team volunteers needed

The Watsonville Police Department is looking for volunteers to join the Post Incident Team.

‘Men in Nature/Taking Off’ exhibit opens at Studio Judy G

danny georges
A new art show has opened at Studio Judy G, 430 Main St., in downtown Watsonville. “Men in Nature/Taking Off” is a joint show of paintings by Judy Gittelsohn and photographs by her cousin, Danny Georges.  They grew up together in Portland, Ore., and spent...

Return to recycling produces long lines in Watsonville

A&S metals Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—A huge line of vehicles is almost constant now in front of A&S Metals on West Beach Street. It’s one of few spots the public can cash in its recyclables, which, for some, have been piling up around the house since the novel coronavirus shuts...

More than 1,000 pounds of illegal fireworks seized

watsonville fireworks illegal
WATSONVILLE—Members of Santa Cruz County’s Auto Theft Reductions Enforcement (SCARE) Task Force seized 1,120 pounds of illegal fireworks recently.  The Sheriff’s Office said an investigation led to the arrest of 30-year-old Edgar Narez on Green Valley Road for possession of illegal aerial fireworks. “With the extreme...

Salud Para La Gente gets $100K grant from Kaiser Permanente

salud para la gente grant Kaiser Permanente
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville-based health provider, Salud Para La Gente, has received a $100,000 grant as part of a $1 million distribution of funds to Santa Cruz County organizations from Kaiser Permanente. The grants aim to increase access to healthcare for those who often don’t have health insurance, said...

Campaign begins for Watsonville Hospital’s Measure N

watsonville community hospital
The governing body that oversees Watsonville Community Hospital has brought the institution back from bankruptcy and the brink of closure since it gained control of the institution last year, and restored local control after years of corporate mismanagement. But with a lasting $6.7 million debt...

Car stop leads to significant drug bust

SANTA CRUZ—A man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a large number of illegal drugs for sale Monday on the West Side of Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Narcotic Enforcement Team found Michael Rodgers in his car near Shaefer Road at Delaware...

Former assistant fire chief Gene Friend dies

gene friend dies
WATSONVILLE—Former Watsonville Fire Assistant Chief Gene Friend, a household name for many in the Pajaro Valley, died March 25 at Valley Convalescent in Watsonville.  Watsonville Fire Station 1 is emblazoned with his name in large letters as the namesake of the Chief Gene Friend Watsonville...
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Aptos boys soccer extends win streak to five | Weeklys Sports...

Aptos High’s Ivan Zavala recorded a pair of goals as the boys’ soccer team defeated Soquel, 2-0, in Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League action...