County’s budget cuts to Sheriff’s Office eased
SANTA CRUZ— The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an $874 million budget for the coming year that includes cuts and position reductions to every department in the county.
According to County Budget Manager Christina Mowrey, the reductions include furloughs of 5-10%,...
Sheriff’s Office announces 1st death; fire now 13% contained
Update (Aug. 24, 7am):
The CZU Lightning Complex fire has burned 78,000 acres, or approximately 122 square miles, as of this morning, according to an update from Cal Fire. The fire is now 13% contained.
There were good opportunities to attack the fire yesterday, Cal Fire Operations...
Outdoor campers urged to relocate
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—With a Red Flag warning in place through Monday, possibly bringing erratic winds and dry lightning, the Santa Cruz County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is urging all evacuees of the CZU Lightning Complex fires currently staying outdoors in tents to seek refuge...
1,611 personnel battling the CZU fires
SCOTTS VALLEY—As the acreage continues to grow in the CZU August Lightning Complex fires, the number of people fighting the blaze on the ground and from the air is also growing.
According to Cal Fire, there are 1,611 firefighters fighting the 78,000-acre blaze out of...
PV Trustees address digital divide, open athletic fields
WATSONVILLE—During a busy night with a loaded agenda, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved plans to boost internet access throughout the city, hire a nurse to coordinate the district’s Covid-19 response and use grant money to purchase an...
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...
Survey seeks opinions on Washington statue
WATSONVILLE—The City of Watsonville has established a survey in hopes of gathering community input on the future of the George Washington bust in the City Plaza.
The three-question survey asks the public for opinions about the statue in its current state, and if they have...
County offering free lunches for fire evacuees
SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Emergency Operations Center has announced it will be offering a free lunch program for evacuees of the CZU Lightning Complex fires beginning Tuesday.
The meals are being provided by an anonymous donor through local participating restaurants, food trucks and companies...
PV Arts announces call for Moveable Murals artists
WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley Arts (PVA) is looking for artists and muralists to be featured in Moveable Murals, a project done in collaboration with the City of Watsonville and the Parks & Recreation Commission.
The project, now in its third year, provides a venue for artists and...
Making a splash | Photo Gallery
Do you have a recent photo you’d like to share? Send it to us for consideration by emailing it to [email protected] or mailing it to 21 Brennan St., Suite 14, Watsonville, CA 95076. Please include a brief description of the photo as well as the name...
Man and daughter die at Garrapata State Beach
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a man and his 7-year old daughter died at Garrapata State Beach Nov. 14 after being swept...















