News

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville’s half-cent sales tax increase had formidable support from voters in initial results released by the Santa Cruz County Elections Department. As of Wednesday morning, Measure R had amassed 64.67% of the 3,151 votes tallied. The general tax measure only needs a simple majority for...

This is the second installment highlighting the candidates running for the Second District seat on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. Tony Crane is an Aptos mortgage broker who is battling against what he sees as county corruption for decisions on a residential mental...

State and city officials joined around 100 people recently to kick off repairs of the storm-damaged Capitola Wharf.  Attendees spoke about a multi-year journey that led to the groundbreaking ceremony.  “This wharf for 130 years has been an essential part of this community,” said Congressman Jimmy...

Twenty-four oil paintings by Scotts Valley artist Shirley Lehner-Rhodes are currently showing at the Santa Cruz County Building, 701 Ocean St.  A professional artist and art instructor, Lehner-Rhodes primarily works in watercolors and oils. Her ongoing series of paintings are figurative works in landscapes, local...

Two women pick up their free ice cream from Older Adults Services Supervisor Katie Nuñez at the Watsonville Senior Center during the first-ever Drive-Thru Ice Cream Social on Saturday. Roughly 90 older adults cruised through E. 5th Street center to claim their free treat. 

SALINAS—As the decennial redistricting process wrapped up last month, the concern from The World’s Salad Bowl started to mount. Local politicians, regional business giants and other community leaders asked how a plan to pair the international agricultural hub with the Silicon Valley could stand. Now,...

PAJARO VALLEY—About 50 people gathered Sunday in Watsonville’s community room to explore ways to phase out toxic farming chemicals and convert Pajaro Valley farmlands to organic and regenerative farming.  The group of speakers included farmers, farmworkers, doctors, retired teachers, experts in environmental health and justice...

Un sitio de vacunación Covid-19 para personas mayores de 65 años y personas en la Fase 1A en Watsonville ahora está abierto en el antiguo Ayuntamiento. Las vacunas están disponibles solo con cita previa. Una asociación entre la División de Salud Pública del Condado de...

WATSONVILLE—The board tasked with purchasing and overseeing Watsonville Community Hospital told the Santa Cruz County Supervisors Tuesday that they still have to raise roughly $15 million by Aug. 31 to complete the $61.7 million sale. The Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board of Directors has...

WATSONVILLE—For years the Employment Development Department (EDD) has had an employee stationed in downtown Watsonville to help South County residents receive unemployment services.  That will change on Monday.  The EDD is removing its lone employee from the Workforce Development Board’s (WDB) 18 W. Beach St. location...