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Watsonville
October 14, 2026

Nature photographer aims for Open Studios

Sylvia Valentine
Corralitos artist Sylvia Valentine is gearing up to show her original nature photography in the annual Open Studios Art Tour. Her photography stems from her travels with her husband around the United States, Bali, New Zealand, Thailand, Canada and Mexico.  “Many of my favorite photos are...

‘Biggest’ garage sale a success

The annual World’s Biggest Garage Sale, which was held at Twin Lakes Church May 13, was the most successful to date, raising about $68,000 for two local nonprofits.

County beaches featured in national show

Santa Cruz made NBC’s Today show early Friday with ample video footage showing people enjoying Cowell’s Beach next to the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. Their news team was covering parts of the golden state and in particular, Santa Cruz County, after the beaches and...

PVUSD teachers ratify labor agreement

Members of the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers have ratified a three-year labor agreement with Pajaro Valley Unified School District, moving the contract one step closer to final approval. The agreement now heads to the PVUSD Board of Trustees for consideration. PVFT President Brandon Diniz...

Graniterock’s Algebra Academy welcomes 165

Algebra Academy teacher Nick Bugayong teaches the intricacies of math.
As a fifth-grader, Sofia Vasquez found math intimidating. That changed when her older sister began tutoring her. Her sister, now 15, had previously attended the Bruce W. Woolpert Algebra Academy, a free weeklong summer program that prepares students entering eighth grade for advanced math courses. This...

Family dispute between teens leads to shooting, arrest

WATSONVILLE—A Watsonville teen was shot and another is in custody following a domestic dispute late Wednesday night. Watsonville Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said the two males, who are brothers, erupted in an argument around 10:20pm at a home on Evelyn Avenue near Clifford Drive...

Annual sculpture exhibit returns for 16th year

For the past 16 years, Pajaro Valley Arts (PVA) has partnered with Sierra Azul Nursery and Gardens for an annual art exhibit. Artists install sculptures throughout Sierra Azul’s two-acre demonstration garden, creating an open-air gallery surrounded by native trees and plants. For this year’s Sculpture...

Watsonville teen is County Board of Education’s first student trustee

santa cruz county board of education faris sabbah oscar alvarez-delgado
After decades of making decisions that affect the lives of students throughout Santa Cruz County, the County Board of Education on Thursday inaugurated its first student trustee. Oscar Alvarez-Delgado, a 17-year-old senior from Pajaro Valley High School, was chosen from five applicants.  Santa Cruz County Office...

Carmageddon: Highway 1 closed for 24 hours

The California Highway Patrol closed north and southbound lanes of Highway 1 in Soquel Saturday at 7pm to make way for Granite Construction crews to demolish the 1948 Capitola Avenue bridge above the highway. The closure and carefully crafted detour between Bay/Porter and Park Avenue...

Suspect arrested on suspicion of attempted murder

Watsonville police
WATSONVILLE—A man accused of shooting at several people outside of a Watsonville home was arrested within 10 minutes of the reported Saturday afternoon incident. Watsonville Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said Stephen Vitela, 23, fired several rounds at people outside of a home on the...
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Alvaro Melendrez

Melendrez pleads not guilty in Larkin Valley Road death

A Watsonville man pleaded not guilty in Santa Cruz Superior Court Wednesday to the slaying of 39-year-old Christopher Fagon. Alvaro Melendrez, 42, remains in County...