News

WATSONVILLE—A group of human services leaders officially launched a program created to put homeless people to work, pay them a small stipend and, more importantly, give them a sense of purpose  Under the WatsonvilleWorks! program, which began on Sept. 9, homeless people help clean areas...

SANTA CRUZ—Dozens of homeless people were roused by police officers in their tents early Friday morning at Phoenix Camp, the unsanctioned encampment behind the Gateway Plaza at River Street and Highway 1 in Santa Cruz. The message was clear: the residents were trespassing on city-owned...

WATSONVILLE—A new flooring store is in the works for downtown Watsonville. Samaya’s Flooring and Design Center is slated for a post-Thanksgiving soft opening in the former Van’s Shoes on East Lake Avenue, said owner Nima Chiring. The store will be a sister business of Samaya's...

Todd Guild Freedom Meat Lockers One of my favorite things to do for lunch in Watsonville is head over to Freedom Meat Lockers, which in addition to its high-quality selection of carnivores’ delights, also offers a deli counter. Normally when I hear the word ‘deli’ I cringe,...

WATSONVILLE—Two local boys were recognized by multiple local leaders at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.  Adrian Maldonado, 11, and Edwin Rodriguez, 12, received certificates, gifts and recognition from Watsonville Mayor Francisco Estrada, Santa Cruz County Office of Education Superintendent Faris Sabbah, Watsonville Chief of Police David...

WATSONVILLE—Large changes are unfolding at the Watsonville Senior Center at East Fifth Street after the City of Watsonville took over operations on Nov. 1. The City will pump $176,000 from its 2019-20 general fund into the Senior Center, and also hire an Older Adult Services...

WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved plans for a new athletic field at E.A. Hall Middle School, a $1.9 million project approved by the community in August. The project will be the last of the school’s funds from Measure...

Watsonville police are warning residents to be on the lookout for credit card skimmers, devices often installed on gas pumps by criminals to steal credit card information. According to Watsonville Police spokeswoman Michelle Pulido, five of the devices were found Tuesday on pumps at East...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville’s Downtown Specific Plan can officially move ahead. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) endowed the City of Watsonville with a $500,625 Sustainable Communities Planning Grant that will fund the majority of the project’s planning efforts over the next year and change. The City Council accepted...

Special events La Selva Beach Holiday Fair (Nov. 16) Kick off or finish up your holiday shopping at the La Selva Beach Holiday Fair. More than 60 arts and crafts vendors will showcase their work at the La Selva Beach Clubhouse. Fair booths will feature handmade...