News

WATSONVILLE—In a vote that was largely ceremonial, the Watsonville City Council unanimously approved giving $130,000 to the newly-formed Pajaro Valley Healthcare District to help the nonprofit purchase Watsonville Community Hospital’s operations. The contribution from the cash-strapped municipality pales in comparison with those of other jurisdictions...

Monterey County officials this week broke ground on a “tiny village” project that was delayed for months after neighbors raised concerns and twice appealed to the city of Watsonville. The 34 small dwellings were intended to give homeless residents living along the Pajaro River a...

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...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—All California adults age 50 and older will be eligible for a vaccine starting April 1, and everyone age 16 and older will be eligible starting April 15, the state announced Thursday. The shift in eligibility comes as the state expects the supply...

WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley Unified School District bus driver Barbie Gomez pulled into the transportation yard on Grimmer Road late Wednesday morning, a trip she has taken countless times in her 12 years on the job. But this day was different. She found a coterie of coworkers...

WATSONVILLE—On an emotion-packed night that featured warm sendoffs for several city staffers, Ari Parker stepped in as Watsonville’s mayor during Tuesday’s City Council meeting. A lifelong Watsonville resident and an educator for more than three decades, Parker was sworn in by Assistant City Clerk Irwin...

A Soquel woman was arrested Monday after she allegedly tried to kick out the windows of a patrol car after she was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, California Highway Patrol officer Trista Drake said.

Fifty-seven artists have been canvassing the Pajaro Valley recently, building an opus of paintings as part of the Plein Air: Our Bounty exhibit that will open at Pajaro Valley Arts Aug. 14.

SANTA CRUZ—A rare winged visitor has landed in Santa Cruz County. A small white wagtail, which typically breeds in Alaska and Asia, including Eastern Russia, has somehow gotten blown off course or is on an exploratory mission to this county, including the San Lorenzo...