Local Toys for Tots co-founder retires
WATSONVILLE—After 33 years behind the wheel of the Toys For Tots program in the Pajaro Valley, coordinator and co-founder of the Santa Cruz County chapter, Delilah Valadez, handed out her final batch of toys on Dec. 4.
Although Toys For Tots will continue, Valadez says...
Mariners beat ‘Catz for first time in 30 years | Boys soccer
APTOS—The last time the Aptos High boys soccer team beat Watsonville High the Nintendo Game Boy was a hot item, “Home Alone” was the top movie and Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” was No.1 rap song in the nation.
That was 30 years ago, but...
Sheriff’s deputy arrested for allegedly having sex with inmate
SANTA CRUZ—A Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy assigned as a correctional officer in the jail has been arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship win an inmate, Sheriff’s spokeswoman Ashley Keehn announced Saturday.
Jessica Smith was charged with sexual activity with an inmate, assault by...
Woman’s club awards scholarships, announces upgrades
The Watsonville Woman’s Club began its year of monthly meetings Sept. 6 at its long-standing Brennan Street building that opened in 1917.
Heavy weather tramples county
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Heavy rain and winds have led to numerous mud and rock slides, toppled trees and flooding around the county. Power and communication lines have also been torn to the ground with dozens of road closures being reported.
The National Weather Service said heavy...
PVUSD classroom closures extended to April, superintendent says
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Teachers throughout Santa Cruz County are getting their Covid-19 vaccines, a daunting task that is moving the needle a tiny bit closer for a plan to return students to the classroom.
But with unpredictable vaccine supplies, thousands of educators and school employees still...
Man killed by falling tree on Hwy. 17, 10 vehicles involved
One man was killed on Highway 17 Thursday when a falling tree struck his vehicle, California Highway Patrol officer Sam Courtney said.
Annual luncheon celebrates National Agriculture Day
More than 200 tickets were sold for the National Agriculture Day Spring Luncheon held April 26 in the Heritage Hall at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville.
The annual event is coordinated by the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau and the educational organization, Agri-Culture.
At...
Deputies make arrest in connection to pipe bomb found in Boulder Creek
SCOTTS VALLEY—The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office arrested a 34-year-old Boulder Creek resident in connection to explosive devices found earlier this week while responding to the CZU August Lightning Complex fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
SCCSO Chief Deputy Chris Clark in a Saturday evening...
Letters to the Editor Dec. 5-11
Suggestions for PVUSD
My recommendations regarding the Recommended Realignments of PVUSD:
1. Regarding school closure, I have advocated for an idea to sell the District Office...





















