Plane crashes near PV High, no injuries reported
WATSONVILLE—A small plane crashed Sunday afternoon in a field near Pajaro Valley High School, hitting the top of a power pole and coming to rest in a field about 50 yards from the school.
No serious injuries were reported. No buildings or facilities at the...
Man shot in Watsonville housing complex
WATSONVILLE—A man was shot in a housing complex off of Ohlone Parkway in Watsonville early Sunday afternoon.
Watsonville Police Department Sgt. Mish Radich said police were dispatched to a report of a shooting at the Stone Creek Apartments, 300 Bree Lane, around 1pm.
Officers found the...
METRO offers employment incentives to address staffing ‘crisis’
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) has introduced a number of new incentives aimed at attracting qualified bus operators to address an “unprecedented crisis in staffing levels” in public transportation.
Thanks to a recent contract extension between METRO and the three unions...
Slough connector trail at Ramsay Park in the works
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday approved a $303,116 contract with Verde Design, Inc. to complete the Watsonville Slough Connector Trail Project at Ramsay Park.
The project seeks to enhance underused space at the city’s largest urban park by adding and improving trails, planting several...
Santa Cruz museum launches new virtual exhibit
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH) has launched its first-ever virtual exhibition.
“Queer Santa Cruz: Stories of the LGBTQ+ Community in Santa Cruz County” was created with local organization Diversity Center Santa Cruz County. It includes photographs, videos, early queer...
Photos: PVUSD classified workers demand hazard pay
Editor's note: This story was updated from an earlier version to correct errors in reporting.
About 100 Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) classified workers—bus drivers, mechanics, janitors and food services employees, among others—gathered in front of district headquarters in Watsonville Wednesday calling for...
Cidery, brewery celebrate anniversaries with event series
WATSONVILLE—Two local businesses are celebrating their anniversaries by offering community events throughout the month of August.
Santa Cruz Cider Company (SCCC) and The Slough Brewing Collective are neighbors, both located off of Hangar Way in Watsonville. Since the brewery first opened in 2020, the two...
State’s largest recycling center closes
California’s largest operator of recycling redemption centers has closed all 284 of its locations statewide, further throwing into disarray an already upended industry.
Briefs: Elks raise funds to help children in need
More than $4.4 million has been contributed this year by members of Elks Lodges throughout California and Hawaii to be used in treating children with disabilities.
Warren Anderson, Exalted Ruler of Watsonville Lodge No. 1300 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, contributed $1,917.07...
Sunday forum will discuss pesticide alternatives | News Briefs
The Campaign for Organic & Regenerative Agriculture (CORA) is organizing a forum about alternatives to pesticides. CORA is a grassroots organization of residents living in Pajaro Valley and Monterey Bay, dedicated to creating a more environmentally friendly agriculture system.
Speakers at the forum will discuss...
Watsonville, Santa Cruz oppose sexually violent predator placement
The cities of Watsonville and Santa Cruz are opposing the proposed placement of a man deemed a sexually violent predator, and are urging residents...






















