News

WATSONVILLE — Saul Ruiz never thought he would have to leave Watsonville. A 1999 Watsonville High School graduate, Ruiz was just settling into his “dream job” as his alma mater’s athletic director after taking over the position three years ago in 2013. He was also making...

WATSONVILLE—According to Santa Cruz County’s Health Services Agency, as of June 22, more than 146,500 county residents (that is, about 53%) have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. And more than 172,000 residents (62%) have received at least one shot. The numbers are promising. However, rates...

A little more than two years after closing several Orchard Supply Hardware stores, including the Watsonville location, owner Lowe’s Companies, Inc., announced it will close the remaining 99 stores.

I covered a fire Saturday night in Santa Cruz where flames tore through the roof of an occupied shed. By the time firefighters arrived at the home, at the corner of San Juan Avenue at Roxas Street just before 9pm, flames were gushing about...

Workers from K&D Landscaping of Watsonville volunteer their efforts last week to fortify a stone patio with fresh grout at Camphill Communities, a life-sharing community for adults with developmental disabilities near Santa Cruz.

WATSONVILLE—As thousands of students throughout Pajaro Valley Unified School District bid farewell to their summer and prepare for a new year, educators and school employees are readying classrooms, sharpening pencils and honing their lesson plans. Such back-to-school preparations have always been a normal part of...

WASHINGTON D.C.—California Sen. Kamala Harris, known for her hardline stance on criminal justice, made history Tuesday when she became both the first Asian American and the first African American woman to become a vice-presidential candidate. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden made the long-anticipated announcement after...

Six people were injured Tuesday night on the UC Santa Cruz campus when a bus veered off the road and slammed into a stone column. Authorities told the media that the driver of the bus suffered major injuries and was flown by helicopter to Valley...

The annual Cinco De Mayo Festival drew thousands of people to downtown Watsonville Sunday with live music, food booths, arts and crafts and information tables.  The free five-and-a-half-hour event was put on by Fiestas Patrias. It drew to the stage the popular singer Graciela Beltran,...

Valencia Elementary School was closed Friday after numerous students were sickened by what is likely norovirus. The school will reopen Tuesday. Pajaro Valley Unified School District notified parents in an email on Nov. 7. “The purpose of the school closure is to stop the additional...