News

The causes of food insecurity are complex, but research suggests that health, housing and employment are key factors.  Feeding America—the country’s largest hunger relief organization—reports that annual healthcare costs for food-insecure adults are on average $1,834 higher than food-secure adults. Food insecurity, as defined by...

We spoke with Melissa West, printmaker and visual artist, about Watsonville’s arts ecosystem, what inspires her to create, and where you can see her work in the coming weeks. What do you love about Watsonville’s arts community and being an artist living and working here? A...

The Aptos branch of the Santa Cruz County Public Library system—which is nearing the end of a complete rebuild—is set to reopen by the end of the year.  On Tuesday, the popular library got a boost when the Board of Supervisors accepted a $394,000 check...

A 31-year-old Hollister woman was seriously injured when her car plowed head-on into a big rig on Highway 129 early Wednesday. California Highway Patrol officer Israel Murillo said the woman was driving a red 2006 Kia Sportage east on Highway 129 east of Murphy Road...

The eighth annual Pajaro Valley Pride (PVP) Celebration unfolded in Watsonville Sunday with a day of performances, drag story time, booths, interactive spaces, food, arts and crafts and information tables from organizations from around the county. Staged at the YWCA on East Beach Street, the...

A 77-year-old Monterey man died early Monday in a solo-vehicle crash on Highway 1 in Santa Cruz. California Highway Patrol officer Israel Murillo said CHP officers were dispatched to a report of the crash around 4:40am at the exit from northbound Highway 1 to Highway...

The suspected shooter accused of killing a 23-year-old man Aug. 4 turned himself in Wednesday. Officers took the 17-year-old suspect into custody at Watsonville Police Department at 9pm, police spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said.  On Aug. 4, officers responded to the 800 block of McKenzie Avenue, near...

Wildfires in the county’s unincorporated regions have stayed relatively low for this time of year, with just 71 vegetation fires so far in 2023 in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, compared to 107 for the same time period last year. That’s according to Nate...

A new phase of the massive outdoor mural project, Watsonville Brillante, was unveiled recently along the Rodriguez Street side of the six-floor parking structure. Around 60 mosaic panels make up phase seven of the 10-phase project that features themes of Finland, Ukraine, Russia, Norway,...

A team of volunteers took on the task to bring new life to the Veterans Memorial Building on East Beach Street in Watsonville by replacing broken windows, pressure washing the front of the building, prepping, varnishing and adding a fresh coat of paint.  The effort...