News

WATSONVILLE — A sculpture depicting two intertwining great blue herons now sits atop a new columbarium at Pajaro Valley Public Cemetery. The 12-foot tall sculpture, entitled “Eternal,” was created by local artist and teacher Sean M. Monaghan and three assistants. Monaghan said he was approached last...

WATSONVILLE—Rocky Patel said he was largely inspired to open his new restaurant, Mr. Z’s Crepes & Teas, by his two children. “They are boba tea fanatics,” Patel said. “My 15-year-old son especially loves it. I was like, sure, let’s go all-out and do this.” Boba, also...

WATSONVILLE—Sushi Qu, a popular sushi restaurant in East Lake Village Shopping Center, opened Tuesday in its new space just a few doors away from where they had operated for almost five years. Owner Jannie Park said she was excited about the new location that will...

WATSONVILLE—If Dino Saavedra had it his way, he would open his new Watsonville restaurant this weekend. “My dad just wants to start cooking already,” Saavedra’s daughter, Andrea Saavedra, said. “I think we’re all excited to open up.” Dino and Andrea Saavedra will have to keep a...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville firefighters responded to a fire Friday afternoon that seriously damaged a home and displaced one resident. It is unclear what caused the blaze, which started around 1:15 p.m. at 11 Jeanette Way.  Mike Vaz said he has lived in the house more than 30 years. He...

SANTA CRUZ—The woman accused of stabbing her husband to death in their home in the Aptos Hills on Aug. 24 was defending herself at the time of the attack, her attorney told reporters Thursday. Amanda Owens, 51, pleaded not guilty to murder charges during a...

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a sweeping ban on the sale of various tobacco products. Starting in late November, the sale of flavored tobacco, e-cigarettes and vapes will be outlawed, and pharmacies operating in city limits will no longer be able to...

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday approved a $303,116 contract with Verde Design, Inc. to complete the Watsonville Slough Connector Trail Project at Ramsay Park.  The project seeks to enhance underused space at the city’s largest urban park by adding and improving trails, planting several...

Special events Open Farm Tours (Oct. 12-13) Due to the increase in attendance at the 2018 tours, an additional day has been added this year so people can visit more farms without being rushed. Fourteen family-owned farms will participate in this year’s tours. All farms implement sustainable...

Hospice announces $50,000 grant Hospice of Santa Cruz County has received a $50,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente Northern California Community Benefits Programs. The grant will help people living with serious illness get access to the resources they need. The funds will be used by Hospice of Santa...