Adrian Gonzalez’s bid for freedom denied, case heads to jury trial
A Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge ruled Tuesday that there is enough evidence that the man who raped and killed 8-year-old Madyson (Maddy) Middleton in 2015 would pose a continued danger to the public if he is released.
Adrian Jerry (A.J.) Gonzalez, now 24,...
Photojournalism showcased
Students from Renaissance High School take time Friday to visit the current exhibit at the Pajaro Valley Gallery, "Witness: Photojournalism,” featuring works by Tarmo Hannula, Bob Fitch, Joe Ravetz, Shmuel Thaler and Sam Vestal, which runs through May 21.
7-Eleven owners donate 150 Thanksgiving turkeys to community
WATSONVILLE—For 12 years, Sherry Dang and Kirk di Cicco, husband-and-wife owners of five local franchised 7-Eleven stores, have made it a point to give back to their community during Thanksgiving. And the Covid-19 pandemic was not going to stop them from continuing that tradition...
2 dead after tree drops across Hwy 101
AROMAS—Two people died in a multi-vehicle crash Sunday after a tree crashed onto a car on Highway 101 in Aromas.
California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Alfredo Uribe said a Toyota Prius, with two Watsonville women aboard, was traveling south on Highway 101 near Cannon...
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County announces $1.58M in grants
A grant announced May 25 by the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County will allow the nonprofit Salud y Cariño to continue its mission of bringing physical fitness and socio-emotional programs to Santa Cruz County girls.
The Santa Cruz-based organization was one of 77 nonprofits that...
Mobile crisis center helps South County’s young people
WATSONVILLE—Young people in South County suffering from mental health crises now have the option of a response that does not have to involve hospitalization.
The South County Mobile Emergency Response Team for Youth (MERTY) was created to provide community and field-based crisis intervention services to...
Two more county residents die from Covid-19 complications
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Two Santa Cruz County residents died Tuesday due to complications from the novel Coronavirus, Santa Cruz County Health Officer Gail Newel announced during a Wednesday press conference.
The fatalities bring the county’s death toll to six. Newel said Covid-19 was the leading factor...
Sheriff’s deputy arrested for allegedly having sex with inmate
SANTA CRUZ—A Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy assigned as a correctional officer in the jail has been arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship win an inmate, Sheriff’s spokeswoman Ashley Keehn announced Saturday.
Jessica Smith was charged with sexual activity with an inmate, assault by...
Q&A: Jose Camacho on providing youth with cultural opportunities
The community is invited to attend the Celebration of Arts and Culture on Sept. 16 at 7pm at the Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts. Presented by Activities 4 All, Ballet Folklórico Ollin, Esperanza del Valle, Estrellas de Esperanza, Grupo Folklórico Los...
Film Talk | Hollywood: out of ideas or playing it safe?
Last week my friend and I saw “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” at Watsonville’s Green Valley Cinema.
City Council to consider utility rate increases
The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday will consider a series of utility rate increases over the next five years to fund infrastructure upgrades they...
