Watsonville Planning Commission to weigh changes to cannabis laws
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Planning Commission on Tuesday will make recommendations for possible changes to the city’s cannabis ordinance.
The Planning Commission’s agenda was not made available before press time, but a public hearing notice published in this newspaper stated the body would be making recommendations on...
Historic Mansion House vacant after New China Buffet closes
WATSONVILLE—The historic Mansion House in downtown Watsonville is searching for a new, hip tenant.
The New China Buffet permanently closed its doors at the end of 2019 and the Tufo family is looking to fill the 3,800-square-foot space at 420 Main St. with a new...
Arrest made in Siskiyou County homicide linked to Santa Cruz County
SISKIYOU COUNTY—The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday arrested a man in connection with the shooting death of a former Santa Cruz County man.
Timothy Chase McDonald, 22, of Yreka was arrested for murder and was booked at the Siskiyou County Jail in Yreka. He...
New beginnings | About Town
Tarmo Hannula: Two new police officers will officially hit the streets this weekend in Watsonville to begin their 20-week Field Training phase. When they are done, they will join four others in their various stages of training, which will eventually add up to a...
Capitola Wharf closed after surf damage
The City of Capitola has temporarily closed its wharf after high winter surf damaged two supportive piles on New Year’s Day.
Engineers who inspected the damage—which occurred underneath the small boat hoist—installed a steel beam that spans the failed area on Saturday so the hoist...
Changes at the Mansion House | About Town
Tarmo Hannula: The New China Buffet, on the ground floor of the 1871 Mansion House on Main Street in Watsonville, has closed. The historic building, once seated at the corner of Main Street at East Beach Street (once named Third Street) was eventually moved...
Farmer survey aims for complete picture of climate change’s impact on agriculture
WATSONVILLE—Two years ago RegeneracÃon-Pajaro Valley Climate Action gathered data on the impact climate change has had on agricultural workers and the Pajaro Valley community at large.
Now, the nonprofit is trying to form a more complete representation of the agriculture-rich region.
RegeneracÃon is asking farmers in...
The Chop Shop moving downtown
WATSONVILLE—A popular local barbershop will soon move to downtown Watsonville.
The Chop Shop is planning to relocate from the city’s outskirts on Freedom Boulevard to the corner of Main Street and East Lake Avenue, according to owner Gabino Varela.
The 471 Main St. location currently houses...
Aptos High teacher hopes to create program to help students, educators
WATSONVILLE—As a new teacher, Brogan Dahl knows how difficult it can be to live in Santa Cruz County on an educator’s salary. She also has experienced the frustration of wanting to bring creativity into her lessons while under the limiting mantle of a strict...
Light rain, king tides forecasted | About Town
Tarmo Hannula: There’s a chance of light rain this evening that could start around 7 p.m. The National Weather Service said the rain could continue into Wednesday morning. Also, king tides will arrive Friday through Sunday. King tides occur when the Earth, moon and sun...
Environment Commission to host battery storage public workshops
The Santa Cruz County Commission on the Environment (CoE) is convening a series of public technical workshops to examine the role and risks of...